The 2020 Gesu Gala and Online Auction are here! Join us online to support our 450 students and as we honor Spirit Medalists Rosemary Español, CFM and Saint Joseph’s University. We also recognize Imani Briscoe ’09, recipient of the inaugural James F. Higgins (’45) Distinguished Alumni Award. Read about her accomplishments in this Catholic Philly feature story. 

Virtual Gesu Gala Timeline

May 20: Click Here to Experience an Evening at the Gala...From Your Home!
From the comfort of home, step into Gesu classrooms and meet our community! Our Digital Tribute Book guides you through a virtual evening at the gala. Page through for these special moments:

• An inspiring video message from a Gesu student
• Uplifting music from the Gesu Gospel Choir
• Video tributes to 2020 honorees, Rosemary Español, CFM and Saint Joseph's University 
• Acceptance speech by the first recipient of Gesu's Distinguished Alumni Award
• Recognition of our generous sponsors

May 25: Online Auction Is Live until 9pm

• Sponsor direct impact opportunities from art supplies and technology to our new sponsor-a-classroom experience.
• Purchase student artwork.
• ​Bid on exclusive items.

Ongoing: Sponsorship Opportunities 

• 2020 Gala sponsors and ticket buyers are invited to a live online gathering to raise a toast to Gesu. Details to follow. 
• Deadline to be listed in the Gala digital tribute book is May 1.

Thank you to those who have committed to supporting Gesu’s 2020 Gala. We appreciate you and your continued investment in our students’ education, especially during this time of great uncertainty.

Contact
Kimberly Brennan
kimberly.brennan@gesuschool.org
215 763 9077

Thank you to our Gala Co-Chairs -- Craig & Jean Burns, Jenn & Phil Flynn, and Mike & Joyce Hagan -- and the 2020 Gala Committee for their tireless efforts on behalf of Gesu students.

We are grateful to our 2020 Gesu Gala sponsors for their generous support of this event and their dedication to quality education in North Philadelphia.

LEGACY SPONSORS
Craig & Jean Burns
Mike & Joyce Hagan
Susan Martinelli Shea

MISSION SPONSORS
James F. Higgins ‘45 & Donna M. Higgins
PoGo Foundation
Saint Joseph’s University

SPONSOR A CHILD
The Flynn Family: Jennifer, Philip, & Charlotte
Jami McKeon & John Hollway
Tom & Kathleen Leonard 

SCHOLAR SPONSOR
Cozen O’Connor

EDUCATORS SPONSOR
Rosemary Español
John Ryan & Mary Gregg and the Ryan Family Fund of The Philadelphia Foundation
Bernadette C. Wheeler, MD & Larry Wells, MD

INNOVATION SPONSORS
1919 Investment Counsel
Gordon & Gretchen Cooney
John & Jennifer Curry
Vault Communications

IMPACT SPONSORS
James & Diane Brecker
Ellen & Win Churchill
Cristo Rey Philadelphia High School
Rard & Judy Davies
Jack & Tammy Dodds
Kate Hovde & Ken Kulak
Olutayo & Adetokunbo Ibikunle
Independence
Jackie & Aram Jerrehian
Bob & Anne McAlaine
Catherine C. Moulton
Allan & Pat Murphy
Keith M. Pension
Lou Pichini
Steve Piltch & Sunny Greenberg
Kathleen & Frank Seidman
The Shipley School

PATRON SPONSORS
Andy Anderson
Christine & Leif Beck
James M. Becker
Amy Brenner
Christina & Joe Cathcart
Constance B. Clery
Karen & Philip Earley
Michele Galasso
Laurence & Maryann Genuardi
Hettie Herzog
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Jackson
Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary

DIGITAL TRIBUTE BOOK UNDERWRITING
Carol & Chuck Walsh

About the Gesu Gala
The Gesu Gala is an annual fundraiser that supports Gesu School in its mission to help North Philadelphia’s children to transcend all forms of poverty through a comprehensive, innovative education. The Gesu Gala supports forward-thinking academic and extracurricular programming that empowers students to develop their strengths, overcome challenges, and become positive, engaged members of the community and the world.
 

About the Gesu Spirit Medal
The Gesu Spirit Medal honors individuals and organizations who have shown extraordinary commitment to Gesu School through their loyal advocacy and actions, and who have made a significant contribution to Gesu School’s success as a model inner-city elementary school.

Rosemary Español, CFM
Gesu Trustee 

Rosemary is the president and founder of IEI Group, an architecture and interior design firm that manages projects more than $50 million. Her expertise in design and facilities management has resulted in IEI’s ranking as a top 200 design firm by Interior Design Magazine. She has been recognized as a Philadelphia Business Journal Woman of Distinction and a recipient of the Philadelphia SmartCEO’s Brava Award and Fairleigh Dickinson University’s Pinnacle Society Award. She has taught at Moore College of Art and Philadelphia University. She has served as a trustee at FDU and on advisory councils at Fulton Bank and Jefferson University. Rosemary shared her entrepreneurial skills to help Gesu achieve significant expansion in the Building for Tomorrow campaign, which added an elevator, gym, and two new floors. These spaces increased Gesu’s accessibility and student learning opportunities with a science lab, art studio, music room, advanced writing space, and after-school program facilities. Rosemary has been a dedicated trustee since 2000, leading the physical plant and technology committee and offering critical expertise and consultation for Gesu’s ongoing facilities initiatives. Her knowledge has directly impacted Gesu’s growth.

AND 
Saint Joseph's University 

As Philadelphia’s Jesuit Catholic University, Saint Joseph’s provides a rigorous, student-centered education rooted in the liberal arts. Saint Joseph’s prepares students for personal excellence, professional success, and engaged citizenship. Striving to be an inclusive and diverse community that educates and cares for the whole person, Saint Joseph’s encourages and models lifelong commitment to thinking critically, making ethical decisions, pursuing social justice, and finding God in all things. With a shared Jesuit tradition and intertwining histories, Saint Joseph’s University and Gesu School have thrived together for over a century. From 1889-1921, the university’s campus existed where Gesu now stands, and since then, Saint Joseph’s has remained a stalwart supporter of Gesu’s faculty and students. The two institutions partner via the Alliance for Catholic Education at Saint Joseph’s University (ACESJU), a volunteer teaching corps. Saint Joseph’s also provides graduate education to Gesu faculty. Numerous Gesu alumni have attended the university, many through its Ignatian College Connection and Lenfest Scholars programs, which support academically successful students from low-income backgrounds.