The Newman Gala is a yearly fundraising event to celebrate our CSC community through an evening of good company and entertainment. We want to give a big THANK YOU to all our sponsors and those who attended this year’s Gala. Your support and presence helps us provide a spiritual home away from home for students, fostering their faith and growth on and off campus. We couldn’t do this without you!

In 2025 we celebrated a beautiful evening of music and community to benefit the Catholic Student Center on Saturday, December 6, 2025, at 7 p.m. The annual Newman Gala celebrated the true meaning of Christmas while supporting the mission of the Catholic Student Center through ticket sales.

We also honored Diana and Vic Svec at our Newman Award recipients.

Diana and Victor Svec

2025 Newman Award Recipients

In recognition of their dedication to the mission of the Newman Community at Washington University and their extraordinary service to the Catholic Student Center, Diana and Victor Svec will receive the 2025 Newman Award at the Newman Gala Christmas Concert, to be held at Graham Chapel on December 6, 2025.

"No matter who you are, no matter where you're from, Diana and Vic hold a space for you. Their gift is hospitality. At the table they set, there will always be a chair for you.
- Fr. Gary Braun

Diana and Vic Svec became active at the CSC after their youngest daughter served as an intern here during the 2017-18 school year. Angie left to eventually become a campus minister at St. Louis University, but Diana and Vic remained.

Many CSC Friends know Diana for her leadership of the Soup and Sweets Club, whose members provide soups and desserts that are served after Mass on Tuesdays an Sundays. Students know when it is Diana’s week to make soup because she often prepares her soup recipes in the Social Hall kitchen, and students can smell them the second they walk through the doors.

Vic says that where Diana provides time and talent, he tries to bring up the rear with some treasure. He spent a career working in investor relations, corporate communications, sustainability, and community relations for Fortune 500 companies and leading consulting firms. He also serves on multiple boards in the greater St. Louis area.

Diana and Vic live in Belleville with their little dog named Moose. They have two lovely daughters, Angie and Stephanie, and they also have three terrific grandchildren.

They have been, and continue to be, true gifts to the CSC and our entire community.

Gala Sponsors

Diamond

Amy and Mark Bade
Diana and Victor Svec

Platinum

Anonymous
JiaMin & Michael Dierberg
Brenda and Joe McKee
Carolyn & Chris McKee

Gold

Anonymous
Janet & Joe Ciapciak
Kendal & Scott Endicott
Mary Beth & Ronald Fox
Lori & Andrew O'Brien
Donald & Nancy Ross Family Foundation
Julie & Todd Schnuck
Kathey & Dave Taiclet

Silver

Anonymous
Patricia Martens Balke
Mary Fitzgibbons Clarkson
Mary Beth & Jerry Daniels
Drury Hotels
Cheryl & Ronald Fromm
Dorothy & David Kemper
Julie & Rich Ledbetter
Peggy & Tom Phillips
Jill Carnaghi & Paul Schimmele
Peggy & Roger Steinbecker

Bronze

Anonymous
Sarah Bernard
Gloria & Mike Brady
Yasuko & Richard Mattione
Nancy & John Ross
Alice Spitznagel

Newman

Annual Catholic Appeal
Anonymous
Mary & Michael Houlihan
Marilyn & Mike Beck
Betty Conley
Mary & Rick Corcoran
Janie & Jim Epstein
Dee Garcia
Sue MacDonald
Ann & Patrick Rothery
Joan & John Schiel
Kathy & Bill Winfrey

Past Gala Contributors

The Annual Newman Gala is the culmination of countless gifts of time, treasure and talent contributed by numerous people — the various committees that organize and plan the event, the many individuals who procure auction items, the students and adults who volunteer the night of the event, and the supporters of the community who generously contribute financial resources. The following individuals have spearheaded these efforts each and every year since 2003, and remain valuable members of our community for years to come.

2023 | CSC Music Ministry | “Sing Noel”

2022 | Diana and Victor Svec | “Once upon a Time”

2019 | Joe and Janet Ciapciak | “Night of Magic”

2018 | Chris and Carolyn McKee | "Bourbon and Blue Jeans"

2017 | Juan and Helena Ferreira | "World of Wines"

2016 | Reggie and Carol MacDonald | "Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow"

2015 | Steering Committee | "Silver Jubilee- 25 Years of Dreams"

2014 | Dave and Kathey Taiclet | "A Harvest of Blessings"

2013 | Kevin and Dena O'Malley | "NewmanFest"

2012 | Jennifer and Jim Lord | "iGala" / Future of CSC"

2011 | Mary and Dan Tramelli | "Carnevale di Venezia"

2010 | Carol Perry | "Newman-opoly / 1920's"

2009 | Bob and Melissa Zaegel | "60 Years of Happy Returns"

2008 | Kelli and Chris McDonald | No theme

2007 | Bill and Kathy Winfrey | "There's No Place Like Home"

2006 | Gina and John Bussmann | "The Red Ball"

2005 | Lee Quackenbush | "Paris"

2004 | Kathryn and Thomas Sommers | "World's Fair"

2003 | Daniel and Sheena Backman | "Mardi Gras"

Past Newman Award Winners

Each year the CSC presents the Cardinal John Henry Newman Award in recognition of extraordinary service to fully realize the mission of the Newman Community at Washington University. The following are the past recipients of this prestigious award:

2023 | Tom & Kathy Sommers

2022 | Cathy Deneault

2019 | Mary Fitzgibbons Clarkson

2018 | Rusty & Julie Keeley

2017 | Mark Wrighton

2016 | Julie & Rich Ledbetter

2015 | Fr. Gary Braun

2014 | Sr. Linda Straub

2013 | Archbishop Robert J. Carlson

2012 | Cathy Modde

2011 | Tom and Peggy Phillips

2010 | Deacon Phil and Mary Hengen