Sacred Heart University scholarship students, along with President John J. Petillo (center, bowtie) and chairs of the Discovery Gala. Photo by Tracy Deer-Mirek
FAIRFIELD, CT - For the first time in several years, Sacred Heart University’s annual Discovery Gala took place on the University’s campus. The 23rd edition of the Gala was the inaugural event Saturday night in the University’s brand new Linda E. McMahon Commons. The new student commons was dedicated in ceremonies the previous day.
More than 300 guests dined and mingled while enjoying the atmosphere of a 1960s Las Vegas supper club. Then they headed off to the University’s Edgerton Center for the Performing Arts for a spectacular performance by the Midtown Men – featuring four members of the original cast of Broadway’s Jersey Boys. The event raised more than half a million dollars for Sacred Heart’s scholarship programs.
Sacred Heart University President John Petillo, left, presents Teresa Ressel with the Discovery Award during the 2012 Discovery Gala. Photo by Tracy Deer-Mirek
The Gala traditionally honors distinguished members of the community, while raising critically needed scholarship funds for the University’s most deserving students. This year’s honoree was Teresa Ressel of New Canaan, former CFO of the United States Treasury. Ressel began her corporate career at General Dynamics in Groton, CT, and most recently held the position of CEO for UBS Securities LLC. Ressel served at the U.S. Department of the Treasury from 2001 to 2004. Along with her impressive career, she has received numerous awards, including the University of Delaware’s Presidential Citation for Outstanding Alumni Achievement in 1996. She was also a recipient of the U.S. Treasury Medal and the Treasury Department’s Distinguished Service Medal.
“Teresa Ressel is truly an educator, showing by example the inestimable value of learning, leadership and service,” said SHU President John J. Petillo.
At Sacred Heart University's annual Discovery Gala were, from left, Robert Corcoran of Easton, SHU President John J. Petillo of Fairfield, Robert Dilenschneider of Darien, Discovery Award recipient Teresa Ressel of New Canaan, Linda E. McMahon of Greenwich and Bill Mitchell of Westport. Corcoran, Dilenschneider, McMahon and Mitchell were all co-chairs of the event. Photo by Tracy Deer-Mirek
Over the past two decades, SHU’s Discovery Gala has raised millions of dollars for student financial aid. This year’s Gala was chaired by Robert Corcoran of Easton, Robert Dilenschneider of Darien, Linda E. McMahon of Greenwich and Bill Mitchell of Westport.
