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Saturday, October 29, 2022

The Catholic Education Foundation: Bringing high-quality, faith-based education to all children, regardless of their financial situation.

Already registered? Click here for night-of information and special instructions for sponsors and table hosts!

22nd Annual Benefit Gala

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HONORING THE MOST REVEREND
Joseph F. Naumann

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Saturday, October 12, 2024
OVERLAND PARK CONVENTION CENTER
6000 College Boulevard, Overland Park, KS 66211

This year's Gaudeamus gala was a beautiful celebration of faith and an outpouring of gratitude for Archbishop Naumann’s incredible legacy of support for Catholic education. Proceeds from the annual Gaudeamus gala benefit the Catholic Education Foundation’s traditional, tuition-assistance scholarships for students most in need.

Meet the 2024 Award Recipients!

Meet Our 2023 Gaudeamus Chairs

We are delighted to have Craig and Karen Gaffney as event chairs for this year's Gaudeamus benefit gala. Both graduates of CEF schools and longtime friends of the Thompson family, Craig and Karen bring a wealth of experience and enthusiasm to this important role. Under their leadership, this year's Gaudeamus promises to be a truly remarkable and impactful event, raising vital funds to support CEF's mission of putting Catholic education within reach for students of all background.

The Catholic Education Foundation: Bringing high-quality, faith-based education to all children, regardless of their financial situation.

Already registered? Click here for night-of information and special instructions for sponsors and table hosts!

Kyle and Nicole Hill and Jake and Ashley Rieke

Meet our 2022 Gaudeamus Chairs

The 2022 Gaudeamus gala chairs were Kyle and Nicole Hill and Jake and Ashley Rieke.

Jake Rieke and Nicole Davila Hill are grandchildren of Tom and Mickey Zarda, one of CEF's founding families.

Jake Rieke, COO of Ernie Rieke Equipment, is a graduate of Saint Thomas Aquinas High School and serves as the Grand Knight of St. Joseph’s Knights of Columbus council. Ashley, an event coordinator, is a graduate of Bishop Miege High School and has served as co-chair for the school auction at St. Joseph Catholic School in Shawnee, where their three children attend elementary school.

Kyle and Nicole Hill are both graduates of Saint Thomas Aquinas High School. They have two young sons and are accomplished entrepreneurs. Together, they run Hill Homes KC, a remodel and home design company, and Kyle is the founder and CEO of Tywoo Technologies.

Both couples are members of the St. Joseph parish in Shawnee and share a passion for Catholic education.

The 2022 Gaudeamus committee included: Stephen and Joan Charbonneau, Andy and Stephanie Eilert, Brad and Katie Inman, Shannon Lillis, Darren and Janet Lovick, Mary Parrigon, Colin and Micala Quinn, Tom and Katy Rottinghaus, Chris and Megan Schumm, John and Rose Shaw, Jolynn Taratino, and Jeff and Amy Zeller

Together, they helped us recognize our founding leaders and celebrate 25 years of Catholic Education Foundation’s impact at the 2022 Gaudeamus benefit gala.

The Catholic Education Foundation: Bringing high-quality, faith-based education to all children, regardless of their financial situation.

Already registered? Click here for night-of information and special instructions for sponsors and table hosts!

About the Catholic Education Foundation

Since 1997, the Catholic Education Foundation has been rewriting the future of at-risk students in northeast Kansas by providing financial assistance and access to a safe, quality, faith-centered education at Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas.

Learn more about the schools we serve, the scholarships we offer, and the students whose lives have been changed thanks to your generosity.

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