Saturday, October 10, 2026
Overland Park Convention Center
Overland Park, Kansas
A Celebration of
Catholic Education
The Catholic Education Foundation’s annual fundraising event, Gaudeamus — Latin for “Let Us Rejoice” —has been a catalyst for the transformation of students, families, and communities in the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas.
Be part of this beloved tradition and help transform lives by giving students most in need access to Catholic education.
2026 Lifetime Achievement Award Honorees
Join us for a celebration of Catholic education on Saturday, October 10 at the Overland Park Convention Center.
The Catholic Education Foundation will proudly honor Peter and Veronica Mallouk’s support for Catholic education and unite to provide scholarship opportunities that make our Catholic schools accessible to more families.
2025 Gaudeamus
Last year’s gala was a night to remember, as more than 1,300 Catholics and friends gathered to honor Monsignor Thomas Tank.
CEF raised a record-breaking over $4.4 million toward scholarships for students most in need, access to high-quality, faith-based education throughout the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas.
Celebrating a Lifetime of Service
Catholic Education Foundation proudly honored Monsignor Thomas Tank with the Lifetime Achievement Award. Hear how Monsignor Thomas Tank has championed Catholic education and his impact in the Archdiocese.
2025 Gaudeamus Featured Family
“Without a CEF scholarship, we would not be a part of the Bishop Ward family.”
Meet the Pickens family and hear the inspiring story of how scholarships from the Catholic Education Foundation have made a difference in their lives.
Meet CEF Scholar Leonardo Estrada Pineda
At Gaudeamus, Bishop Ward High School senior Leonardo Estrada Pineda shared his family’s powerful story.
Hear how he strives to honor his family’s sacrifices by working hard, serving others, and pursuing excellence.
As stewards of the Catholic Education Foundation, we gather at Gaudeamus not only to celebrate, but to take meaningful action. Together, we are providing more than 2,000 scholarships, making a transformational, faith-filled education possible. But the need is even greater. More families are seeking this opportunity than ever before.
That’s why Gaudeamus must continue to grow in impact and success. With the strength and generosity of this community, I am confident we will rise to meet that need and do even more.
Past Honorees
Gaudeamus Lifetime Achievement Award honorees are Angels Among Us.
- 2024 – Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann
- 2023 – The Byron & Jeanne Thompson Family
- 2022 – (CEF Lifetime Achievement Award) Blake Mulvany, Tom Zarda, Rich Henry, Archbishop James P. Keleher, Sr. Vickie Perkins, and Leonard & Ellen McKinzie
- 2021 – Archdiocesan Catholic School Teachers
- 2020 – Lamar & Rita Hunt
- 2019 – Kathleen A. O’Hara, PH.D.
- 2018 – Hamp & Nikki Henning and Glenn & Joan Wells
- 2017 – Stan & Suzan Cramer
- 2016 – Tom & Sandy Long
- 2015 – Mark & Lisa Ledom, Pat & Mel McAnany, and Nelson & Marcia Newcomer
- 2014 – John & Bridget Murphy
- 2013 – Gaudeamus 10 Year Honorees Reunion
- 2012 – Bishops and Archbishops Past & Present
- 2011 – Catholic School Pastors
- 2010 – The Straub Family
- 2009 – John & Pat Menghini
- 2008 – Bob & Esther White and Ben & Betty Zarda
- 2007 – Charlie & Antoinette Berkel, Bill & Jean Dunn, and Leonard & Ellen McKinzie
- 2006 – Richard & Sheila Henry and Thomas & Mickey Zarda
- 2005 – Abbot Barnabas Senecal, OSB
- 2004 – Archbishop James P. Keleher
- 2003 – Blake & Rose Ann Mulvany
