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The Benefit Gala is Dominican University’s premier fundraising event, with all proceeds directly supporting student scholarships. This year’s gala will mark the official launch of Dominican University’s 125th anniversary celebration—an extraordinary milestone in the life of the institution and an opportunity to honor its rich legacy.

TICKETS
Individual tickets and sponsorships can be purchased online or by calling (708) 524-6317. View individual sponsorship packages and benefits here. 

Unable to attend, but still want to support the Benefit Gala? You can make a gift online by clicking here.  
 

SPONSORSHIP
Corporate and vendor sponsors can be secured online or by contacting Mark Carbonara at (708) 524-6458 or mcarbonara@dom.edu. View corporate and vendor sponsorship packages and benefits here. 

Thank you to all of this year's generous Benefit Gala sponsors! 

Your sponsorship will help us create opportunities and change students' lives. 

AWARD WINNERS

Heart of Dominican Award: President Emerita Dr. Donna M. Carroll

The award honors Dr. Carroll for her visionary leadership, devoted service and enduring impact on the university and the broader community. During her 27 years as president, Dr. Carroll led Rosary College’s transformation into Dominican University and helped shape its identity as a premier Catholic Hispanic-Serving Institution. 

Donna Carroll’s career began in student affairs — a young professional with an appetite for responsibility. Several moves and promotions later, including appointments as an academic dean and a chief advancement officer, Dr. Carroll returned to her home city of New York to work at Fordham University. In 1994, she became the 10th president of Dominican University in Illinois, the institution’s first lay leader and one of the youngest presidents in the country.

Dr. Carroll describes her current position as President of the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities (ACCU) as an “unexpected blessing.” After 28 years as a president, including a year as interim president of North Central College, Dr. Carroll has the opportunity to help advance Catholic higher education at a national level and mentor a new generation of lay presidents.

Donna Carroll’s leadership legacy is punctuated by multiple accomplishments, strategic and financial, including the successful name change of Rosary College to Dominican University. However, it is her outspoken advocacy for the rights of undocumented and marginalized students that has defined her career and brought her national recognition. Dr. Carroll received the Strangers No Longer Award from the Archdiocese of Chicago, the Moral Courage Award from Faith in Public Life, and the Dominican Veritas Award, among others. In 2022, ACCU honored her with the Rev. Theodore M. Hesburgh, CSC Award for outstanding contributions to Catholic higher education.

Throughout her career, Dr. Carroll has balanced institutional responsibilities with active civic, association, and educational leadership. She has served on the boards of Interfaith America, Chicago Catholic Schools, Fordham and Scranton Universities, The HistoryMakers, Abraham Lincoln Library, to name just a few, as well many regional and national higher education association boards. She is currently a trustee of Dominican Veritas Ministries, the sponsoring board for Dominican elementary and secondary education.

Dr. Carroll received her bachelor’s degree in English from Wellesley College and her master and doctoral degrees in higher education administration and counseling from the University of Cincinnati. She has received honorary degrees from Edgewood College, Fordham University, and Albertus Magnus College.

Pillars Award: Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa

This award honors the Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa, whose steadfast commitment to truth, justice and compassion continues to guide and inspire the university’s mission. As Dominican’s founding sponsors, the Sisters’ vision and unwavering dedication have shaped the institution from its beginning to the present day. They remain, in every sense, the pillars of the Dominican University community.

The Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa, founded in 1847 by Venerable Father Samuel Mazzuchelli in Wisconsin, are a congregation of Catholic Sisters dedicated to preaching and teaching the Gospel. With a focus on community, prayer, study, and ministry, Sisters advocate for social justice, ecological responsibility, and peace, working in education and various ministries across the U.S. and in Trinidad and Bolivia. Today, more than 250 Sinsinawa Dominican Sisters participate in the mission shared by all Dominicans: to proclaim the Gospel in word and deed.