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.