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2018 Gala

Thank you to our sponsors and everyone who made the Transformation Gala a success!

Many of the incredible transformations that have occurred at Marian were recognized through powerful testimonies from current student Wislet Mulatre ’19 and alumni David Holmes 12’, and our bright plans for the future were revealed through announcing the Frank D. Walker Center for Applied Ethics, and newly formed endowed scholarships in name of our inspiring honorees.

Join us in supporting Marian’s mission. Your generosity make a difference in the providing students the opportunity to attend Marian University.

Relive the night by viewing photos and videos from the event:

Join more than 2,000 greater Indianapolis and central Indiana civic and business leaders, new friends, long-time supporters, alumni, and students who gather to celebrate the transformations taking place at Marian University.

All proceeds from the Transformations Gala will support the Forging Leaders initiative—a $250 million fundraising initiative to support the university’s growth through 2025.

Event schedule 

  • JW Marriott Indianapolis
  • Black tie optional
6 p.m. All-Alumni Reception
6:30 p.m. Reception
7:30 p.m. Dinner

After dinner and the program, the dance floor will open and Endless Summer Band hits the stage! Stay and enjoy dancing, drinks, and light snacks.

Room reservations and parking

Make the most of your evening at Marian's Transformations Gala by taking advantage of a special room discount for gala attendees:

Parking is available at the JW Marriott Indianapolis Washington Street Garage or the White River State Park Garage. Note parking in both garages may 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, Indiana 46204

  • Self-parking (no overnight):  $44 per vehicle
  • Valet parking (0-5 hours; no overnight): $49 per vehicle
  • Overnight parking: standard rates

Washington Street Garage | 401 West Washington Street | Indianapolis, Indiana 46204

  • Connected to JW Marriott via skywalk
  • $20 per vehicle for up to six (6) hours

White River State Park Garage | 650 West Washington Street | Indianapolis, Indiana, 46204

  • $15 per vehicle for up to six (6) hours

Celebrating (ED NEED BLUE BACKGROUND)

  • 26th Annual Mary McNulty Young '47 Opportunities for Excellence Scholarship Dinner
  • Dillon Family Distinguished Alumni Dinner
  • Progress of Forging Leaders: The Legacy We're Made For Initiative

Honorees

Ed and Peggy Bonach
Franciscan Values Award
Chief Executive Officer
CNO Financial Group (retired)
Ed and Peggy Bonach

Ed and Peggy Bonach have made significant impacts on our community by way of dedicated service to our youth and leadership development. In 2017, after 41 years in the insurance industry, Ed retired as chief executive officer of CNO Financial Group. That same year, he also received the coveted Sagamore of the Wabash Award. After spending years as a dedicated full-time mother, Peggy launched and later sold a garden design business.

Denny Sponsel
John A. Purdie Innovator and Mentor of the Year Award
Chief Executive Officer and Owner
RJE Business Interiors
Denny Sponsel

Denny Sponsel has contributed to shaping the Indianapolis community through exemplary traits of leadership in both his professional career and philanthropy. Sponsel is the chief executive officer and owner of RJE Business Interiors. He has spent the last 40 years improving workplace design throughout the Midwest, while remaining committed to his true passion of providing clients with the best possible customer experience. 

 

David '71 and Anne Haire
Dillion Family Distinguished Alumni Award
Senior Vice President and Financial Advisor
CAPTRUST
David and Anne Haire

David ’71 and Anne Haire represent what it means to be exemplary alumni of Marian University. From meeting each other on campus when David carried Anne’s luggage into Clare Hall, to creating a legacy family with two of their children graduating from Marian, to being present at numerous athletic events and advocates for Mission and Identify initiatives, the Haires demonstrate every trait of actively engaged alumni.

 

Emcee

Rafael Sánchez
WRTV-6 Anchor and Reporter
Rafael Sanchez

Rafael Sánchez is a Murrow and multiple Emmy award winning Investigative Reporter/Anchor at WRTV-6-ABC. This past June, he received another Emmy for reporting excellence. 

Every year, Sánchez enjoys participating in about 50 charitable events that raise money and awareness for organizations around Central Indiana. In June in 2017, he completed his 2016-2017 responsibilities as Community Engagement Co-Chair for United Way of Central Indiana and assisted in raising millions of dollars to improve education, financial stability, health and basic needs benefiting thousands of families across our region.

Sánchez came to the Hoosier State from the Bronx, New York to attend Franklin College of Indiana where he triple majored in Journalism, Political Science, and Spanish. As a college trustee of his alma mater, he values the importance that Indiana’s independent private colleges bring to workforce development and minimizing the “brain drain.”

This year he marked his 25th wedding anniversary, and he’s the proud of father of two children. His daily aspirations are rooted in the words of Dr. Martin Luther King Junior who wrote “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, what are you doing for others?”

Sponsorship opportunities

Reception sponsor: $100,000

  • Recognition in all publicity and marketing materials, print and digital
  • Social media recognition
  • Recognition on reception signage at the event
  • Recognition in printed event program and on digital sponsorship display
  • One table of 10 at the gala with preferred table placement

Alumni reception sponsor: $50,000

  • Recognition on alumni reception signage at the event
  • Social media recognition
  • Recognition in printed event program and on digital sponsorship display
  • One table of 10 at the gala with preferred table placement

Post-program reception sponsor: $50,000

  • Recognition on post-program reception signage at the event
  • Social media recognition
  • Recognition in printed event program and on digital sponsorship display
  • One table of 10 at the gala with preferred
    table placement

Video sponsor: $50,000

  • Recognition in the gala videos debuting during the event program
  • Social media recognition
  • Recognition in printed event program and on digital sponsorship display
  • One table of 10 at the gala with preferred table placement

Indiana State Medical Association​​

Dessert sponsor: $50,000

  • Recognition on the gala menu card
  • Social media recognition
  • Recognition in printed event program and on digital sponsorship display
  • One table of 10 at the gala with preferred table placement

Entertainment sponsor:
Live music and entertainment provided by Endless Summer Band

Parkview Logo

Wine table sponsor: $25,000

  • Recognition on wine table signage at the event
  • Social media recognition
  • Recognition in printed event program and on digital sponsorship display
  • One table of 10 at the gala

United Health One Logo

Skywalk over West Street sponsor: $25,000

  • Logo included on skywalk graphic
  • Social media recognition
  • Recognition in printed event program and on digital sponsorship display
  • One table of 10 at the gala

Platinum table sponsor: $10,000

  • Recognition in printed event program and on digital
    sponsorship display
  • One table of 10 at the gala

Gold table sponsor: $5,000

  • Recognition in printed event program
  • One table of 10 at the gala

Sponsor a Marian University student: $500

  • Sponsor a Marian University student to attend the gala

Scholarship info

Scholarships are pivotal in attracting talented students. Your support provides a transformational experience for our students—allowing them to grow academically, spiritually, personally, and be prepared to lead in their field upon graduation. 

Presenting sponsor

St Vincent Logo