JW Marriott Indianapolis — Reception 6 p.m. — Dinner 7 p.m.
At the 2023 Marian University Gala, we welcomed 2,000 of our closest friends, alumni, and donors to celebrate our continued strategic effort — Journey to 2030: Always Forward. Marian University has a bold vision for investments providing much-needed scholarships, programs, and facilities improvements allowing us to attract and retain a diverse student population. Our graduates integrate faith in their profession and are taught the value of lifelong service to their communities.
Check out the photos from the 2023 Marian gala on our Marian University Flickr page!
In 2024, we will continue the tradition of honoring and recognizing deserving honorees that have made, and continue to make our community better.
Rafael Sánchez returns for the 2024 Marian University Gala.
A multiple Emmy award winning investigative reporter, now with FOX59/CBS4 in Indianapolis, Mr. Sánchez participates in many fundraisers each year focused on raising thousands of dollars for charitable causes. As the son of immigrants from the Dominican Republic, he’s focused on charities that champion education, promote self-empowerment & compassion, and encourage leadership and civic responsibility.
We celebrated the long-standing tradition as members from the Marian University Sacred Choir join the Sisters of St. Francis, Oldenburg for the Benediction and Blessing of St. Clare.
Monsignor Joseph Schaedel ’70
2024 Dillon Family Distinguished Alumni Award
Marian University proudly claims Monsignor Joseph F. Schaedel, M.S., M. Div. ’70 among our alumni who has for many years given back as a long-standing member of our Board of Trustees. For over 40 years, as a priest of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, Monsignor Schaedel has served the people and Catholic Church of central and southern Indiana, touching and inspiring lives everywhere he has served.
Mike and Rebecca Kubacki
2024 Franciscan Values Award
As a two-term member of the Indiana General Assembly, Rebecca Espinoza Kubacki has been a champion for women’s causes, children and human affairs and has served on the Marian University Board of Trustees and chairwoman of the Latino Leadership Initiative. The former CEO of Lake City Bank, Michael Kubacki has had a distinguished career in the banking industry, which eventually brought him back to his home state of Indiana.
Married for 50 years, the Kubacki’s, have both individually and together as a couple, taken on leadership roles throughout the state to improve the overall well being of Hoosiers.
Mike Wells
2024 John A. Purdie Innovator and Mentor of the Year Award
Mike Wells serves as President of REI Investments, Inc., the manager of REI Real Estate Services, LLC. Over the past 25 years Mr. Wells has been involved in a number of significant real estate projects including the JW Marriott Hotel, Marriott Place, Circle City Mall, Wellpoint Operation Center, Emmis Communications Headquarters and the Indianapolis Marriott Hotel, all in downtown Indianapolis. Currently, REI has a number of hotels and multi-family projects under development in Indianapolis, Louisville, Kentucky and Austin, Texas.
Al Leighton '62 and Kathy Fox '75
The Marian University Gala will be held at the JW Marriott. We apologize for the inconvenience, but rooms at the JW Marriott have sold out. For accommodations, guests are welcome to stay at the Indianapolis Marriott Downtown, here.
Parking will be available at the JW Marriott Indianapolis, Indianapolis Marriott Downtown, Washington Street Garage, or the White River State Park Garage. Parking in both garages can fill quickly. Please allow extra time for Friday rush-hour traffic, to find parking, and make your way into the hotel.
JW Marriott Indianapolis
10 South West Street, Indianapolis, IN 46204
Self-parking rate for event is $30 (Guests can pre-pay on the third floor by registering before the event and post pay in the lobby by the concierge desk)
Valet for event is $50
Overnight Self-Park is $55
Overnight Valet is $70
Indianapolis Marriott Downtown
350 West Maryland Street, Indianapolis, IN; Call: 1-877-640-7666 for room availability
Washington Street Garage
401 West Washington Street, Indianapolis, IN 46204
White River State Park Garage
650 West Washington Street, Indianapolis, IN 46204
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