Centennial ends with a flourish; 1,200 at All-School Reunion

It literally ended with a bang! A bevy of colorful fireworks helped to cap off the year-long celebration of Saint Mary’s Centennial Saturday, June 22, on the Winona campus. But, even more importantly, the university community came together to launch its second century in style.

At the Red Carpet Centennial Gala, more than 800 guests were treated like Hollywood stars, beginning with a red carpet entrance (complete with student paparazzi and live interviews).

Attendees followed the red carpet gold “stars” to the festivities. Names on the stars recognize SMU’s philanthropic partners whose extraordinary cumulative giving to SMU has transformed the university during its first century and who continue to help dynamically position the university into the future.

The Gostomski Fieldhouse was transformed for the reception into a giant, glittering celebrity lounge, with entertainment provided by the John Paulson Big Band. The reception also included butlered hors d’oeuvres, elegant lounge decor, signature drinks and a special Centennial ice sculpture.

As the curtains parted, the crowd was ushered into the dining area, where a gourmet meal was served under glittering chandeliers.  Alum Bill Lunn ’87, news anchor for KSTP-TV in the Twin Cities kicked off the program in true Oscar-esque style as music and movies set the scene for the glamorous evening.

The event program spoke to the transforming nature of the university, past, present and future.

Honorary co-chairs Mike ’66 and Claudia (Drvota CST’69) Dooley and Jack and Mary Ann (Wera CST’64) Remick were recognized for serving as ambassadors throughout the university’s Centennial year.

Centennial Awards were presented to Brother Álvaro Rodríguez Echeverría, Superior General of the Institute of Brothers of the Christian Schools, on behalf of the Institute, and to Brother Larry Schatz, Visitor, on behalf of the Midwest District of the Christian Brothers. The university gratefully recognized the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools for its continued leadership and vision, inspired by the teachings of its founder. The university gratefully recognized the Midwest District for its work to inspire new Lasallian educational partnerships through the strength of its dedication and vision.

Mike ’62 and Joette Gostomski of Winona received a Heritage Award for their outstanding support, engagement and philanthropy. The Gostomskis have shown their generosity in support of numerous university initiatives through gifts of time, talent and treasure, which know no bounds. Mike has served on the university’s Board of Trustees for 17 years. Their largest single gift to the university made possible the completion of the athletics fieldhouse bearing their name. They have also partnered with Saint Mary’s and The Wasie Foundation for more than a decade to support full scholarships for students from Poland. Other gifts to the university include support of the First-Generation Initiative, as well as campus expansion and facilities projects. Mike speaks proudly of the impact Saint Mary’s had on his own success as a local entrepreneur — one of the original founders of Fastenal Company and current president/CEO of Winona Heating and Ventilating, Inc.

Brother William reflected back on key points in Saint Mary’s history and told stories of alumni who have gone on to do wonderful things, strengthened by the knowledge they gained at Saint Mary’s; and he invited participants to join SMU as it steps boldly into its second century.

After dinner and in between thunderstorms guests viewed fireworks in the university plaza, provided by RES Specialty Pyrotechnics (founded by 1978 alum Steve Coman. Portions of the Centennial Suite and other exciting music were incorporated into the on-campus show, which came alive from the sky, as well as on the plaza. The night was capped with dancing to the cool sounds of Nicholas David, finalist in NBC's “The Voice.”

Approximately 1,200 visitors were on campus throughout the weekend. Special guests included the more than 50 Christian Brothers who gathered for the unveiling of a new statue, designed by Brother Jerome Cox ’60, which honors all members of the international Catholic teaching order who have served the university. Brother William spoke to the All-School Reunion crowd and to the Brothers from around the nation and the world.

Numerous other activities were held over the All-School Reunion weekend, including decade and reunion class gatherings, canoe trips, an alumni art exhibition, ropes course demonstrations, city and campus tours, a 5K fun run, and an all-school picnic.

Thanks go out to everyone who donated so much of their time throughout the weekend and to everyone who joined in the celebration and in making our guests feel welcome throughout the weekend.

To view photos from throughout the weekend, go to www.smumn.edu/alumniphotos.

800 expected for Red Carpet Centennial Gala June 22

A year of Centennial celebrations and special events across the country will culminate June 22 with the Red Carpet Gala, and a sold-out crowd of 800 is expected.

The public is invited to join with students, families and alumni in a grand event that will mark the university’s first 100 years and propel it into a second century of transformational higher education.

Attendees of the Red Carpet Gala on June 22 will be treated like stars. The evening is designed to feel like the Oscars, with all the elegance and glamour of Hollywood transported to the Winona campus.

Guests will walk the red carpet from valet parking through “paparazzi” and into the transformed fieldhouse, where the 17-piece John Paulson Big Band will be performing. There guests will be treated to specialty drinks, butlered hors d’oeuvres and a gourmet dinner served under glittering chandeliers.

A special program will be emceed by Bill Lunn ’87, news anchor of KSTP-TV in the Twin Cities.

The university’s Heritage Award will be given to Mike ’62 and Joette Gostomski of Winona, whose generous lifetime philanthropy has significantly transformed Saint Mary’s University.

Two special recognitions will honor the profound influence of the Christian Brothers on Saint Mary’s. Brother Álvaro Rodríguez Echeverría, the order’s Superior General, will accept a Centennial Award on behalf of the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools, and Brother Larry Schatz, Visitor, will accept a Centennial Award on behalf of the Midwest District of the Brothers of the Christian Schools.

A fireworks extravaganza will dazzle the campus and incorporate a portion of the “Centennial Suite” of commissioned music pieces. Music and dancing caps the evening, with entertainment provided by Nicholas David (finalist on NBC’s The Voice) and his band.

For more information or for Red Carpet Gala tickets, go to mysmumn.org/gala or call Ext. 6609.

Everyone invited to Red Carpet Centennial Gala June 22

The John Paulson Big Band

Nicholas David

Mike and Joette Gostomski

Brother Álvaro

Brother Larry

A year of Centennial celebrations and special events across the country will
culminate June 22 with the Red Carpet Gala.

The public is invited to join with students, families and alumni in a grand event that will mark the university’s first 100 years and propel it into a second century of transformational higher education.

Attendees of the Red Carpet Gala on June 22 will be treated like stars. The evening is designed to feel like the Oscars, with all the elegance and glamour of Hollywood transported to the Winona campus.

Guests will walk the red carpet from valet parking through "paparazzi" and into the transformed fieldhouse, where the 17-piece John Paulson Big Band will be performing. There they will be treated to specialty drinks, butlered hors d’oeuvres and a gourmet dinner served under glittering  chandeliers.

Bill Lunn

A special program will be emceed by Bill Lunn ’87, news anchor of KSTP-TV in the Twin Cities.

The university’s Heritage Award will be given to Mike ’62 and Joette Gostomski of Winona, whose generous lifetime philanthropy has significantly transformed Saint Mary’s University.

Two special recognitions will honor the profound influence of the Christian Brothers on Saint Mary’s. Brother Álvaro Rodríguez Echeverría, the order’s Superior General, will accept a Centennial Award on behalf of the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools, and Brother Larry Schatz, Visitor, will accept a Centennial Award on behalf of the Midwest District of the Brothers of the Christian Schools.

A fireworks extravaganza will dazzle the campus and incorporate a portion of the “Centennial Suite” of commissioned music pieces. Music and dancing caps the evening, with entertainment provided by Nicholas David (finalist on NBC’s The Voice) and his band.

For more information or for Red Carpet Gala tickets, go to mysmumn.org/gala or call Ext. 6609.

Everyone invited to Red Carpet Centennial Gala June 22

The John Paulson Big Band

Nicholas David

Mike and Joette Gostomski

Brother Álvaro

Brother Larry

A year of Centennial celebrations and special events across the country will
culminate June 22 with the Red Carpet Gala.

The public is invited to join with students, families and alumni in a grand event that will mark the university’s first 100 years and propel it into a second century of transformational higher education.

Attendees of the Red Carpet Gala on June 22 will be treated like stars. The evening is designed to feel like the Oscars, with all the elegance and glamour of Hollywood transported to the Winona campus.

Guests will walk the red carpet from valet parking through "paparazzi" and into the transformed fieldhouse, where the 17-piece John Paulson Big Band will be performing. There they will be treated to specialty drinks, butlered hors d’oeuvres and a gourmet dinner served under glittering chandeliers.

Bill Lunn

A special program will be emceed by Bill Lunn ’87, news anchor of KSTP-TV in the Twin Cities.

The university’s Heritage Award will be given to Mike ’62 and Joette Gostomski of Winona, whose generous lifetime philanthropy has significantly transformed Saint Mary’s University.

Two special recognitions will honor the profound influence of the Christian Brothers on Saint Mary’s. Brother Álvaro Rodríguez Echeverría, the order’s Superior General, will accept a Centennial Award on behalf of the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools, and Brother Larry Schatz, Visitor, will accept a Centennial Award on behalf of the Midwest District of the Brothers of the Christian Schools.

A fireworks extravaganza will dazzle the campus and incorporate a portion of the “Centennial Suite” of commissioned music pieces. Music and dancing caps the evening, with entertainment provided by Nicholas David (finalist on NBC’s The Voice) and his band.

For more information or for Red Carpet Gala tickets, go to mysmumn.org/gala or call Ext. 6609.

Everyone invited to Red Carpet Centennial Gala June 22

The John Paulson Big Band

Nicholas David

Mike and Joette Gostomski

Brother Álvaro

Brother Larry

A year of Centennial celebrations and special events across the country will
culminate June 22 with the Red Carpet Gala.

The public is invited to join with students, families and alumni in a grand event that will mark the university’s first 100 years and propel it into a second century of transformational higher education.

Attendees of the Red Carpet Gala on June 22 will be treated like stars. The evening is designed to feel like the Oscars, with all the elegance and glamour of Hollywood transported to the Winona campus.

Guests will walk the red carpet from valet parking through "paparazzi" and into the transformed fieldhouse, where the 17-piece John Paulson Big Band will be performing. There they will be treated to specialty drinks, butlered hors d’oeuvres and a gourmet dinner served under glittering chandeliers.

A special program will be emceed by Bill Lunn ’87, news anchor of KSTP-TV in the Twin Cities.

The university’s Heritage Award will be given to Mike ’62 and Joette Gostomski of Winona, whose generous lifetime philanthropy has significantly transformed Saint Mary’s University.

Two special recognitions will honor the profound influence of the Christian Brothers on Saint Mary’s. Brother Álvaro Rodríguez Echeverría, the order’s Superior General, will accept a Centennial Award on behalf of the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools, and Brother Larry Schatz, Visitor, will accept a Centennial Award on behalf of the Midwest District of the Brothers of the Christian Schools.

A fireworks extravaganza will dazzle the campus and incorporate a portion of the “Centennial Suite” of commissioned music pieces. Music and dancing caps the evening, with entertainment provided by Nicholas David (finalist on NBC’s The Voice) and his band.

For more information or for Red Carpet Gala tickets, go to mysmumn.org/gala or call Ext. 6609.