On Thursday, June 22, 2006, the College of Saint Elizabeth (CSE) celebrated the legacy of its alumnae family, the Degnan family, at its Fifth Annual Celebrate Scholarship and Excellence Benefit Gala at the Madison Hotel in Convent Station. Eight members were recognized with the College’s Champion of Scholarship and Excellence Award, which is presented annually to a corporate or community honoree in recognition of philanthropic leadership, professional integrity and service to community.

 
While the award historically celebrates an individual, the College decided to honor all eight family members who have been committed to the institution since 1941 when Eileen Degnan Callaghan enrolled at the Women’s College.
 

Members of the Degnan family include:
• Mary Wade Degnan, of Chester, Class of 1968
• Eileen Degnan Callaghan, of West Orange, Class of 1945
• Patricia Degnan Regan, of Verona, Class of 1947
• Dorothy Degnan Hunt, of Upper Montclair, Class of 1949
• Dorothy Callaghan Gorman, of Short Hills, Class of 1978
• Jane Healy Degnan, of Manasquan, Class of 1962
• Linda Ippolito Degnan, of Point Pleasant, Class of 1963
• John J. Degnan, of Chester, who was given an honorary degree, Honoris Causa in 1978
 

“The seven Degnan graduates are a shining example of a legacy family,” said Debra Martin, executive director of the Alumnae/i Association at the College of Saint Elizabeth.  “In College, they loved the life of the mind, admired brilliant teachers, and deepened Catholic traditions. After College they put their CSE degrees to work in education, business, writing, nursing, media, public relations, and perhaps the hardest job of all – raising a family. And beyond all that, they gave cheerful, generous and faithful service to make life better for others. The impact of this family is enormous.” 
 

“It is an honor, and a bit humbling, to be receiving this award from the College of Saint Elizabeth,” said Mr. Degnan. “Often it is the men in my family that get recognition for their work and accomplishments, but tonight, it is the women who so wonderfully and justifiably we honor; they are bright, passionate and fiercely loyal to each other – just the thing my father wanted.”
 
Nearly 300 people attended the black-tie affair, which featured Thaddeus Exposé Jazz Trio, fine dining, dancing, a silent auction, and a special guest appearance by singer and song writer Wade Preston, who most recently starred as the Piano Man in Billy Joel’s Broadway Musical “Movin’ Out.” 

But the icing on the cake to the evening’s soiree was the amount of money raised by the College’s generous benefactors. Nearly $145,000 was raised in providing student scholarship assistance and in supporting educational activities at this year’s annual event.
 

“We bless our students’ futures, and the world that they will create,” said CSE President Sister Francis Raftery.
 

The evening’s festivities also included an array of auction items such as gift baskets, weekend getaways and season tickets at the silent auction tables, and a 50/50 cash raffle. This year’s top prize was $4,875. 

Photo Caption: Sister Francis Raftery, president of CSE, stands beside this year’s honorees, the Degnan family, at the Fifth Annual Celebrate Scholarship and Excellence Benefit Gala. (Photo by Courtney Smolen)