Dinner Dance 2021: At-Home Edition Offers Trip Down Memory Lane
Tim ’77 and Kathleen Kund Nolan ’79 know firsthand the invaluable impact that financial aid can make.
The alums and longtime supporters of the University, who recently began a scholarship in their name, shared their financial aid stories during the Dinner Dance 2021: At-Home Edition.
Kund Nolan told the audience that her mother taught her and her siblings—all first-generation college students—that college was the key to a better future.
“There were five of us; my father was a copier salesman,” she said. “So, I had to go where we could afford it—where I could get financial aid, where I could get loans, where I could get grants, where I could do work study. That’s how I landed at DeSales. It truly was my key and continues to be the key for a better life and a better future.”
The virtual celebration served as a trip down memory lane. Father James Greenfield, OSFS ’84, University president, began the evening with a prayer and offered his profound gratitude to all of the benefactors and friends watching.
“Because of this event we are able to, in our budget every year, give away almost 40 million dollars of financial aid. Some people call that our discount rate. I like to think of it as our mission centric use of funds. I hope you feel really empowered by your use of your funds and money to help us empower these students to go out and make our world a better place.”
Jacob Metzger ’21, a TV/film major, put together the video production, which featured a montage of past Dinner Dances, student testimonials, and a message of thanks to the evening’s sponsors, including The Topper Foundation, B. Braun, St. Luke’s University Hospital, and Lehigh Valley Health Network.
Jacque Parker ’09, development officer, and Dan Villanti ’09, assistant director of alumni relations, also hosted an interactive watch party broadcast on Facebook Live, which featured a special performance from Chris Stevens ’11. All told, the virtual event reached more than 750 people all across the country and raised more than $115,000 for financial aid and scholarships.
“We are happily surprised,” said Lina Barbieri ’94, associate vice president for annual giving, who hosted the event along with Dr. Jerry Joyce ’91, executive vice president. “It speaks to the community here at DeSales and the people who support us. They are the foundation of these events. They love our students as much as we do and that shows.”
