Initiated by the Law School's Board of Visitors in 2013, the Dean's Dinner has become an important tradition at Catholic Law as a means of raising scholarship donations for students. Held at The St. Regis in Washington, D.C., the dinner and reception featured special guest speaker Senator Joe Manchin, the senior United States senator from West Virginia. This year's Dean's Dinner guests included members of the Law School's Board of Visitors; members of the Law School's Alumni Council; and law school alumni. In addition, select faculty members and students were sponsored to attend. After two years of being held virtually, it was especially moving to gather together for such a meaningful evening.
Senator Manchin (D-W.Va.) was sworn into the United States Senate on November 15, 2010. For Senator Manchin, serving as West Virginia's Senator is truly an honor and a privilege. From his days as a state legislator to his six years as Governor to his current role, Senator Manchin has always been committed to his philosophy of "retail government" — in other words, connecting with all of his constituents and making service to them his top priority. As a Senator, Joe Manchin is committed to bringing this same spirit of bipartisanship to Washington. As he has done throughout his entire life, he remains committed to working with Republicans and Democrats to find commonsense solutions to the problems our country faces and is working hard to usher in a new bipartisan spirit in the Senate and Congress. Senator Manchin currently serves as the Chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, and also serves on the Senate Committee on Appropriations, the Senate Committee on Armed Services, and the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs - four critical committees that tackle the important work of addressing our nation's energy needs, overseeing discretionary spending, standing up for our Veterans, and defending our nation.
Douglas G. Bonner III '83, chair of the Board of Visitors and Partner at Potomac Law, delivered welcoming remarks and Reverend Jude DeAngelo, University Chaplain and Director of Campus Ministry, offered the invocation. Dinner featured a conversation with Senator Manchin and Catholic Law alumnus Clarence E. “CEM” Martin III ’74. The two discussed the sacrifice of civil service and Senator Manchin's goal of finding a pathway forward. John Garvey, President of The Catholic University of America, also spoke at the event. This year's event also featured two 2021 Scholarship Star Awards. Recognized were Catholic Law alumni Nesse E. Feddis '83 and J. Parker Griffin III '08.
Third-year evening student Erhan Bedestani delivered remarks as the evening's student speaker. He spoke about his journey to law school, including his two decades of active duty service. Bedestani also noted that without the significant financial contribution from the school towards his tuition, he "would not be standing here today," affirming the importance of giving in propelling Catholic Law students forward.
In his closing remarks, Dean Stephen Payne emphasized the importance of scholarships in recruiting and thanked the donors for positively contributing to students' futures with their gifts. Scholarships make a huge impact on their recipients, making Catholic Law more affordable and accessible to students.
The following alumni and friends contributed to the success of this event:
2021 Sponsors, Hosts, and Contributors
Table Sponsors $5,000
Michael J. Bashaw, 1981
Douglas G. Bonner III, 1983
Michael F. Curtin, 1965 and Mrs. Kathleen Curtin
Agnes P. Dover, 1981 and Gordon Jack Dover
Lee Carosi Dunn, 2001
Arthur N. Fucillo, 1978
Alan M. Grimaldi, 1971
Alois Lubiejewski, 1969
Bruce Parker, 1978
Jeffrey S. Puretz, 1981 and Teresa Puretz
John A. Zaccaro Jr., 1993
Potomac Law Group
Hosts $1,000
The Honorable Phyllis C. Borzi, 1978
Phillip D. Brady
David Donohoe, Jr., 1988
Kelly Lynn Donovan, 1993
Joseph Peter Drennan, 1981
Donald W. Farley, 1969 and Mrs. Jo Ann D. Farley
Richard J. Favretto, 1966 and Mrs. Francine G. Favretto
Nessa E. Feddis, 1983
J. Parker Griffin III, 2008
Robert B. Groseclose, 1976
Vincent A. Lacovara, 1997
Elizabeth C. Morin, 1991
Robert P. Powers, 1984
Patrick Michael Regan, 1980
Mark A. Reinhardt, 1971
Richard A. Shapack, 1976
John M. Skenyon, 1973
Professor John B. Wefing, 1967
Contributors $500
Jude M. Antonyappan, 2020
Andrew N. Cook, 1987
Paul M, Doyle, 1972
Mary Anne Gibbons, 1980
Lisa A. Henriques Brower, 2001
Gerald Hurst, 1979
Arthur A. Impastato, 1986
Kathy L. John, 1979
Michael John Kearney Jr., 1996
Gregory J. Kennedy, 2006
John E. McCarthy Jr., 1989
James E. McDonald, 1969
Charles T. O'Brien, 1996
Susan O'Connell, 1983
Nancy M. Palermo, 1997
Lawrence R. Radanovic, 1963 and Deidre Radanovic
Mr. and Mrs. James E. Tyrrell Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. Martin Weissman
Student and Faculty Sponsors $275
Erhan Bedestani, 2023
Peter Chepucavage, 1974
Michael Cozzi, 2023
J. Phillip Kessel, 1975
Brendan J. Koeth, 2013
Professor George Smith
Donors $200 (or less)
Steven H. Abel, 2013
Stephen Casarino, 1966
Robert Dimler, 1995
Elizabeth L. Dougherty
S. Jenell Trigg, 1997
Recognition of gifts received by September 14, 2021