A Night for DeSales Celebrates Its 45th Anniversary and Breaks Records
The DeSales community gathered together on April 25 for A Night for DeSales—the University's annual gala event to celebrate with alumni, friends, faculty, staff, families, and community supporters to raise vital funds benefitting The DeSales Fund.
Marking the 45th Anniversary of A Night for DeSales, more than 400 guests enjoyed an unforgettable evening of food, fun, fellowship, dancing, and games throughout the DeSales University Center. This year, the event broke records with net proceeds of more than $155,000 to support The DeSales Fund, which provides life-changing scholarships, enhances innovative academic programs, and fortifies the foundation of the University.
“This is always a special evening to see our DeSales community come together in support of our students,” said Wendy Hinton, vice president for institutional advancement. “We’re blessed to have such dedicated supporters who are so invested in the promising futures of our students and the strength of the University’s values.”
This year’s Take Hold Award was presented to Dennis ’71 and Karen Campbell for their generosity, leadership, and friendship within the DeSales community over nearly six decades. The Take Hold Award celebrates exemplary individuals whose lives and work reflect the values and mission of the University. It takes its name from the Latin phrase featured on the DeSales seal “Tenui Nec Dimittam,” meaning “I have taken hold and will not let go.”
Special thanks to the lead sponsors for the evening—Air Products, Breslin Architects, IBEW Local 375, Lehigh Valley Health Network, Lutron, and Valley Builders—and the Salesian Sponsors—Frank Dalicandro ’77 and Jo-Ann Dalicandro, Kelly J. Conley Mullen ’87 and Joseph F. Mullen Jr. ’85, Kathleen Kund Nolan ’79 and Timothy Nolan ’77, Kathleen Waterbury Reilly and J.B. Reilly, and John D. Stanley, Esq. and Karen Stanley.
During the program, remarks were given by Father James Greenfield, OSFS ’84, Ed.D., and Kathleen Kund Nolan ’79, board chair, who presented the Take Hold Award. Braeden ’26 and Preston ’28 DeGrazia offered their thanks as student representatives for all the ways scholarships impact the lives of DeSales students.
After dinner, the evening concluded with dancing, a pub atmosphere with late night snacks in the O’Connor Commons, a game room, and a dessert buffet.