Newsletter 2019 SPRING EDITION SALUTE DINNER ROARS TO RECORD NET $1,125,000 Astonishing Result Surpasses Previous Year Mark of $1 Million Work Continues to Grow Catholic Elementary School Enrollments The Catholic Education Foundation’s 29th annual Salute to Catholic School Alumni dinner extended its record-setting streak of funds raised in support of its mission – and not by just a little bit! Held on the evening of March 27 in the Grand Ballroom of down- town Louisville’s Galt House Hotel, the Salute hosted a sell-out crowd of nearly 1,700 guests, continuing its tradition as a hallmark community event in the Commonwealth. This year’s event soared to a historic record of $1,125,000 in net proceeds, rocketing past the previous year record of $1,000,000. Foundation President Richard A. Lechleiter remarked, “Who would have ever dreamed that this event would raise so much to brighten the futures of so many families! We are truly humbled by this amazing result and thank God for its unprecedented success.” All of the funds from the Salute will be used to provide tuition assistance to families who cannot afford the full cost of a Catholic elementary education for their children. The Archdiocese of Keynote speaker Most Reverend J. Mark Spalding, the Louisville sponsors 40 Catholic elementary schools in central Twelfth Bishop of Nashville Kentucky with aggregate student enrollments of 13,100. This historic event was co-chaired by the Most Reverend Joseph E. Kurtz, Archbishop of Louisville, and Mr. William E. Mudd, President and Chief Operating Officer of Churchill Downs Incorporated. When asked about the new fundraising threshold established at the event, Archbishop Kurtz remarked, “Since I arrived in Louisville in 2007, I have been continually amazed at the record-setting results posted at this event each year and the rousing community support for its success – all for the benefit of providing the gift of a Catholic education to families who cannot afford its full cost. The Salute is truly a fabulous event for our entire community!” Co-chair Bill Mudd added, “What an honor it’s been for me to serve in this role with Archbishop Kurtz – and what an incredible outcome! I want to thank the Foundation staff not only for this superb event, but for their hard work throughout the year that brings hope to thousands of young students and their families.” Rich Lechleiter further noted, “The net financial result from this year’s event is nearly double the amount raised just five years ago. And what were four Benefactors – sponsors donating $25,000 or more to the event – at our 20th anniversary event has exploded into 25 heading into our 30th anniversary dinner in 2020. WOW, are you kidding me!!” Continued on Page 4 Page 2 Our Message To You Page 3 Father Joseph McGee Honoree • Community Service Honoree Page 4-8 2019 Salute Dinner Inside Page 9 Kurtz Scholarship Fund Reaches $1.5 Million • Catholic Schools Week Contest Winners Page 10 Director of Development Message Page 11 Fr. Morgan Scholars Honored at Salute Dinner Our Message To You Board The Salute is on a ROLL! of Directors Chair I’ve been asked more than a few times, “Why is it that the Salute dinner event gets bigger D. Hank Robinson every single year?” President Richard A. Lechleiter To be honest, the answer is easy. Because it has to. Vice-Chair I first joined the Foundation Board in 2006, and Board Chair and my very good friend, Phil Most Rev. Joseph E. Kurtz, D.D. McHugh, was really accelerating our fundraising acumen, positioning us for what has been an Chair-Elect incredible run for the Salute to Catholic School Alumni event. Charles J. Dahlem Secretary That year, for the first time, the event net crossed $100,000. A record at the time. Stephen E. Embry The previous fall, the Foundation provided tuition assistance awards to 440 Catholic elementary Treasurer students in central Kentucky. Elizabeth Ulmer Wiseman Michael K. Ash Fast forward to 2019….. The Salute dinner event has grown by eleven-fold in thirteen short Robert L. Ash years – to $1,125,000 - and the number of students earning a tuition assistance award has sky- Gregory A. DeMuth rocketed to 3,100. A record for a time. David A. Durik Scott D. Flynn As I cross my fifth year here at the Foundation, there’s one thing I know for certain. We must all Benjamin C. Fultz do more for our Catholic school families! Rev. Mark M. Hamilton John V. Hayes In Bishop Spalding’s own words that evening, “If we do not do more, there will be less.” Donna L. Heitzman Kathleen C. Herrington For anyone who embraces the life-changing impact of Catholic education, there’s nothing more Todd A. Klimek John P. Malloy inspiring than the empowered smile of a young student whose opportunity in a Catholic school Neil P. Ramsey is made possible only by the generosity of others. William J. Roby Paul J. Schulte I should know. I see them every time I visit one of our schools! Leisa M. Schulz Leonard M. Spalding Won’t you join the great mission of the Catholic Education Foundation and change the trajecto- Rev. John J. Stoltz ry of someone’s life forever? The impact of your gift – no matter its size – will be easily measured John D. Sweeney, Jr. when school begins next fall. One student at a time. Jean Anne Zappa, OSU With our deep gratitude and God’s blessings, Our Vision: Every family has access to a Catholic education. Our Mission: To promote the growth and vitality of Catholic education in the Archdiocese of Louisville. Richard A. Lechleiter D. Hank Robinson Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz, D.D. President Chairman Vice-Chair 2 WWW.CEFLOU.ORG Father Joseph McGee Honoree Reflects Core of Catholic Education 3 Anne C. Bahr, an instructor at St. Martha School in Louisville, was honored by the Catholic Education Foundation at its annual Salute dinner event as the outstanding Catholic educator in the Archdiocese of Louisville through the Father Joseph McGee Award. Foundation President Rich Lechleiter commented, “Anne is a Catholic school kid since her beginning, and she has nurtured and loved hundreds of young students in Catholic schools over a storied teaching career that began in 1978. How truly blessed we are to have her leading our young students to a life of love, faith and success!” Anne attended both St. Martha and St. Gabriel Schools and graduated from Assumption High School in 1972. She then earned her undergraduate degree in elementary education from Edgecliff College in Cincinnati. Later, she earned her master’s degree in education from Bellarmine University with a special- ty in reading. Her teaching career started at Cincinnati’s Nativity Catholic School, followed by St. Athanasius and St. Aloysius in Louisville. She then began a highly successful run at St. Martha School that continues to this day. Throughout her teaching career, her long- standing passion is first grade. As she exclaims, “I love teaching first graders! I love teaching those beginning reading skills and seeing their excitement when they realize they can read!” St. Martha Principal Michael Bickett describes Anne in this way. “Anne’s presence at a school gathering, professional develop- ment meeting or prayer service gives everyone the feeling of comfort, professionalism and spiritual guidance!” Anne has always had a deep interest in children with special learning needs, always working to find ways in which each of her students can grow and succeed. She is also an active volunteer in her community. She has worked at a local soup kitchen and is now volunteering at the Ronald McDonald House assisting families whose infants receive care at the NICU unit. Anne is a member of St. Martha parish. Mr. Lechleiter remarked, “There’s a reason that the first-grade experience at St. Martha School is so great – her name is Anne Bahr!” Salute Community Service Honoree Keeps On Giving As part of the Salute to Catholic School Alumni event, the Foundation honored Dr. William J. Rothwell with its distinguished Community Service Award. Foundation President Rich Lechleiter exclaimed, “We are so proud to honor Bill and his incredible lifetime of achievement and service to others in so many capacities. Every phase of Bill’s life is marked by a determination to succeed and the courage to do God’s will.” Born and raised in New England, Bill earned undergraduate degrees in physical education and history from the University of New Hampshire, followed by masters and doctoral degrees in higher education administration from the Ohio State University, where he was a University Fellow. He then taught and coached at the University of Wisconsin, where he was the Head Ice Hockey Coach of the National Championship Team in 1973. Bill also was a member of the U. S. Olympic Hockey Team Selection Committee for the famed 1980 team that defeated the Soviet Union in a classic contest. Following a highly successful six-year stint as the Executive Director of the Penn State University Alumni Association, Bill served as Vice President for Development and Alumni at the University of Louisville from 1989 until his retirement in 2000. Under his leadership, the university’s annual fundraising increased from $7 million to nearly $60 million, while the endowment rocketed from $78 million to over $500 million. Bill also served his nation as a member of the 82nd Airborne Division of the United States Army. His exemplary community commitment includes Board service for the Rotary Club of Louisville, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Salvation Army, St. Vincent DePaul Society, Cathedral Heritage Foundation, National Public Radio and the Catholic Education Foundation, among others.