{"id":1002,"date":"2025-02-25T17:04:36","date_gmt":"2025-02-25T17:04:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.stthom.edu\/encounter\/?p=1002"},"modified":"2025-02-25T17:53:23","modified_gmt":"2025-02-25T17:53:23","slug":"heart-and-heritage-gala","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.stthom.edu\/encounter\/2025\/featured-stories\/heart-and-heritage-gala\/","title":{"rendered":"Heart and Heritage Gala"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Co-chairs Mark and Margie Harris, MBA \u201986, with honoree Fr. James Murphy, CSB.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Living up to all the anticipation and underscored by irresistible Irish tunes, the William J. Flynn Center for Irish Studies celebrated its Heart & Heritage Gala on Nov. 22, at the elegant Houstonian Hotel. Guests at the gorgeous annual fundraising event were eager to honor Fr. James Murphy, CSB, for his heartfelt dedication to quality education for all students and his Irish heritage. Fr. Murphy serves as the third president of St. Thomas High School, a member of the UST Board of Directors, and a cherished friend of the Center for Irish Studies.

As the evening unfolded, delighting all in attendance, Mistress of Ceremonies Lisa Malosky kept the highly spirited event moving. Guests dined on delicious fare and found themselves enthralled by the Clann Kelly Dancers and Irish music by Beyond-the-Pale. The program concluded with a humorous \u201croast and toast\u201d of Fr. Murphy delivered by Fr. Kevin Storey, CSB, demonstrating their shared support for the Center\u2019s work.

By the night\u2019s end, nearly 300 friends of the University and the Center raised $290,000 at the lively gathering. The funds will go toward a united goal of supporting the Center\u2019s academic programming, study abroad opportunities, and student scholarships.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

FRIENDS AT EVERY TURN<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"
A surprise performance by St. Thomas High School faculty band No Late Work.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Robert Hull,\u00a0Consul General of Ireland-Austin, was a special guest.

Meanwhile, within that ballroom filled with friends were Margie M. Harris, MBA \u201986, and her husband, Mark J. Harris, who chaired the special evening. Bishop Brendan Cahill, STD \u201985, M. Div.\u201990 served as Honorary Chair.

Sr. Lauren Beck, CVI \u201972, MRE \u201977, president of Incarnate Word Academy, blessed the evening\u2019s dinner, festivities, and the Center\u2019s work.

As the evening drew to a close, the spirit of camaraderie and shared purpose remained, confirming the community\u2019s commitment to the Center for Irish Studies\u2019 mission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Living up to all the anticipation and underscored by irresistible Irish tunes, the William J. Flynn Center for Irish Studies celebrated its Heart & Heritage Gala on Nov. 22, at the elegant Houstonian Hotel. Guests at the gorgeous annual fundraising event were eager to honor Fr. James Murphy, CSB, for his heartfelt dedication to quality education…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":45,"featured_media":1003,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[897,695],"class_list":["post-1002","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-featured-stories","tag-897","tag-winter-2025-issue"],"yoast_head":"\nHeart and Heritage Gala, an Irish Studies fundraising event<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The William J. 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