Bay Path President’s Gala: Supporting Student Scholarships and Celebrating the 25-year Legacy of Carol and Noel Leary

Longmeadow, MA—The Bay Path University 4th Annual President’s Gala is taking place on Saturday, April 18, 2020, at 6:30 p.m. at the Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place Hotel. The event will continue its tradition of raising funds for student scholarships. The evening will celebrate the legacy of Dr. Carol A. Leary, who announced her retirement for June 2020 after 25 years of serving as President.

 

The Gala will feature a tribute to Carol and Noel Leary, silent and live auctions, dinner, and dancing with live entertainment. The evening will also tell the story of the University’s mission—empowering undergraduate women and graduate women and men to flourish in a constantly changing world. Last year’s event netted over $360,000 in support of student scholarships. 

 

“We are extremely grateful for the opportunity to raise funds again this year for student scholarships while celebrating the legacy of Dr. Carol Leary and Noel. The Learys have been instrumental to Bay Path and the Western Mass community over the last 25 years,” said Allison Gearing-Kalill, Bay Path University’s Vice President for Development and Planned Giving. “The Gala provides an opportunity to bring together businesses, community partners, alumni and friends of Bay Path who understand the obstacles our students face today,” said Gearing-Kalill.  

 

Mary ’74 and David Bushnell, Laura and Rick Grondin, and Michelle and Peter Wirth are the Gala’s honorary chairs. The Platinum Sponsor is MassMutual. Gold Sponsors include Advance Manufacturing Co., Inc.; Hannoush Jewelers; Health New England; Melinda and K. Francis Lee; PeoplesBank; and Powerstation Events. Drew and Lauren Davis are the Entertainment Sponsors.

 

The President’s Gala will begin at 6:30 p.m. with a cocktail reception and silent auction, followed by a seated dinner at 7:30 p.m. The tribute will start at 8:30 p.m., and at 9:00 p.m., guests will be invited to dance the night away.

 

For those who are not able to attend, but would like to support Dr. Carol A. Leary’s 25th and final year as President, Bay Path University is proud to announce the relaunch of The Carol A. Leary Endowed Scholarship Fund for First-Generation College Students. The fund, which was initially established in 2005 in honor of Dr. Leary’s 10th anniversary as Bay Path’s President, is just as relevant today as Bay Path continues to welcome first-generation students into the community. Since it’s induction, Bay Path has awarded this scholarship to over 100 women attending college as first-generation students.