Saint Xavier University held this year’s Annual President’s Scholarship Ball on April 16. The Ball was held at the Hilton and featured entertainment from the Dan Hayes Orchestra. This is the 31st year that SXU has held this event. According to Shereitte C. Stokes III, Vice President for University Advancement, this event is an essential part of University Advancement.
“It is a staple in our advancement effort,” he said. The purpose of the event is to honor an individual or organization that has served the SXU community. Also, the Ball serves as an opportunity to raise funds for the Presidential Scholarship Program. Since 1985, the President’s Scholarship Ball has raised almost $6 million.
This year, the Scholarship Ball honored John C. and Jane McCarthy who have supported the Sisters of Mercy, as well as SXU. During the Ball, they were presented with the Shield of Saint Xavier, the university’s highest honor.
McCarthy’s connection to SXU begins with his aunt, the late Sister Mary Huberta McCarthy, R.S.M. who was the President of the university in 1950. McCarthy began to serve SXU himself in 1991 when he joined the board of trustees. He served on the board until 2007 and was the board chair from 1997 to 2003.
Jane McCarthy also has a strong connection with the Sisters of Mercy. In 1984, she served on the Mercy Hospital’s Women’s Board and in 2000 she helped establish the “Sister Huberta McCarthy, R.S.M., Women of Mercy Award.” Jane is currently the editor of the Mercy Women’s Board newsletter.
“John and Jane have always shown an incredible amount of support, service and loyalty to the University, and we are deeply pleased to bestow this honor upon them,” President Christine M. Wiseman, J.D. said. According to Stokes, the recipients of the shield are chosen based on their commitment to SXU and its values.
“The Shield is awarded annually to outstanding people who are nominated by the University community and chosen by the Board of Trustees. Recipients of the Shield of Saint Xavier are honored for their support of Saint Xavier’s mission of academic excellence and social concern and for their demonstrated commitment to these important values through their own quest of learning and commitment to service,” he said.
The evening started off with a Catholic Liturgy at 5:30, followed by a formal reception at 6:30. The dinner began at 7:30 and was followed by an after-dinner reception at 10. According to Anna Simons, Executive Director of Advancement Services Office, 303 donors attended the Ball, including some SXU staff that are also donors.
Also, 22 students had the opportunity to attend the event as student ambassadors. Jorge Pliego, Sophomore Business major, was one of the students who attended the Ball as an ambassador. He said that he wanted to be present at the Ball in order to express his support and appreciation for SXU and its donors.
“I decided to attend the Saint Xavier University Scholarship Ball to support an institution that greatly believes in its students. I very much wanted to show my support and appreciation to the institution that has graciously funded a partial of my education and as well as my peers,” he said. This year, the Ball raised about $359,545, although the number is still fluctuating.
The money will all go towards financing the Presidential Scholarship Program. The Presidential Scholarship is awarded to students based on academic merit. According to Stokes, the proceeds from the event are an increase from previous years.
“The event was fairly successful. The number of sponsors increased as well as the sponsorship dollars,” he said. According to Wiseman, last year SXU paid out an average financial aid grant $11,000 to students. Raising funds for scholarships is especially pressing in light of the uncertainty of the Illinois budget and the release of MAP grants. Pliego said that he was able to understand why the scholarship ball is an important tradition at SXU.
“I thought the scholarship ball was a success and, clearly, a tradition that marks the beginning for the current and future scholars of SXU. It has been the foundation for many students with the ambition to proceed in their academic endeavors,” he said. Pliego also said that attending the President’s Scholarship Ball opened his eyes to the many people who make it possible for SXU students to receive financial aid.
“I’ve always said that Saint Xavier University is offering me the financial assistance I need, but it is in fact an entire community who is unaware of who you are and what your future beholds. It was indeed inspirational and an eye-opener for myself and the many attendees who are currently pursuing a higher education,” he said.
Yasmeen Abdellatif
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