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Celebrating a Milestone

Gala Dinner Features Papal Biographer

(35th Anniversary 2007 Newsletter)

On September 30, 2006, Thomas Aquinas College held a gala dinner at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Los Angeles to celebrate a milestone in its history. e than 600 alumni, friends, and benefactors turned out for the event to commemorate the College’s 35th anniversary.

Following a Mass of Thanksgiving (see page 7), guests were welcomed into the Beverly Wilshire’s beautiful Wintergarden room for a cocktail reception. Behind brocade curtains, in the adjacent ballroom, an army of waiters put the finishing touches on dinner tables adorned with dramatic floral arrangements. When the curtains were drawn, the 16-piece Johnny Crawford Dance Orchestra struck up its famous vintage dance tunes, and guests took their places.

Mr. Jim Newman, a veteran member of ABC7’s “Eyewitness News” team, acted as Master of Ceremonies for the evening. (See article on page 2.) The Archbishop of Los Angeles, Cardinal Roger Mahony, gave the invocation (see page 2), and various officials, friends, and benefactors of the College offered congratulatory remarks throughout the evening. (See page 3.) The official biographer of the late Pope John Paul II, Mr. George Weigel, gave the Keynote Address (see page 5), and the final benediction was offered by Rev. Msgr. Francis Weber, Archivist for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles and Director of the San Fernando Mission. (See page 8.) Guests then danced the night away to the music of the Johnny Crawford Dance Orchestra.

Said President Dillon, “On behalf of the entire community of Thomas Aquinas College, I offer my heartfelt thanks to all those who contributed to the success of this celebration-—to Sir Daniel Donohue, our honorary chairman, to Fred Ruopp and his dinner committee, and to all those who supported it financially. It was edifying to see the tremendous turnout and the great good will that exists for Thomas Aquinas College.”

The College was honored to have one of its dearest friends, Sir Daniel Donohue, serve as Honorary Chairman of the 35th Gala Celebration in Beverly Hills. A Gentleman-in-Waiting to His Holiness the Pope and a Knight of the Equestrian Order of Holy Sepulcher, the Order of Malta, and the Order of St. Gregory, Sir Daniel is also the president of the Dan Murphy Foundation. Founded by him and his dear wife, the late Bernardine Murphy Donohue, the foundation has contributed in a magnificent way over the years to Thomas Aquinas College.

Says President Dillon, “As we celebrate this milestone in our history, I am mindful that were it not for the unparalleled generosity of Sir Daniel and the Dan Murphy Foundation, Thomas Aquinas College simply would not exist, let alone thrive as it does today. We thank God for their partnership in our noble endeavor to do all we can to help build souls for Christ.”

-- 35th Anniversary 2007