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Third Annual Gyrene Gala is Huge Success at Ave Maria University
February 26, 2007
Gen. Peter Pace and Four Others Inducted Into Gallery of Gyrene Greats
Thousands of Dollars Raised for University's Marine Corps Scholarship Fund
NAPLES, Fla. - The highest ranking officer in the United States armed forces was honored at Ave Maria University's third annual Gyrene Gala Feb. 24.
General Peter Pace, USMC, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, was inducted into the Ave Maria Gallery of Gyrene Greats at the event, the proceeds of which will benefit the AMU Marine Corps Scholarship program.
"Tonight you honor me in a way I know I don't deserve," Pace said of his induction into the gallery. "But I will accept this honor on behalf of so many Marines who have taught me so many wonderful things, and as the representative of 2.4 million American men and women-active, guard and reserve-who serve this nation to the very best of their abilities with great honor and distinction."
Pace also acknowledged the importance of such events not only to support education for military veterans, but to encourage American men and women currently in harm's way.
"This community is an incredible gift to those who will benefit from the scholarship," he said. "And when our troops ask me, ‘Do the American people still support us?', I point to nights like tonight to demonstrate that the American people love and support our men and women in combat."
Pace, the first Marine to serve as chairman of the Joint Chiefs, was one of five inductees into the gallery this year. The four civilian inductees were Arthur L. Allen, president and C.E.O. of Allen Systems Group; Thomas S. Monaghan, chancellor at Ave Maria University; William J. Schoen, chairman of Health Management Associates; and Carleton Tronvold, a founder of the child welfare and juvenile justice agency Four Oaks of Iowa. All five inductees received plaques bearing their likenesses; the plaques, together with those honoring previous years' inductees, will be displayed at the university's permanent campus in the future.
The Gyrene Gala is held annually to benefit the AMU Marine Scholarship program. Established in 2005 to assist current and former Marines interested in an AMU education, the scholarship was recently opened up to combat veterans of the Gulf War and current war from all branches of the U.S. armed forces. Currently there are four students at AMU on the scholarship-three Marines and one Army captain. The total funds raised at this year's event are currently being tabulated, but it is anticipated that approximately $75,000 was raised for scholarship funding.
"I am very grateful for this scholarship and for the chance to get an Ave Maria education," said Stephen Henley, an AMU sophomore and Marine Corps corporal who recently returned to the U.S. from Iraq. "It is an honor to have Gen. Pace here-he is the kind of strong leader that America needs."
Another educational opportunity for military serviceman was announced at the gala; speaking as chancellor of AMU and a former Marine, Monaghan revealed the establishment of the Carleton and Marjorie Tronvold Endowed Scholarship for former Marines attending AMU. Monaghan expressed his hope that the scholarship would not only help Marines access the strong educational, spiritual and social environment at AMU, but that it would strengthen the growing relationship between the Marine Corps and AMU as well.
"Honor, courage and commitment are the defining values of the Marine Corps, and they will never be abstractions at Ave Maria University," Monaghan said.
In addition to honoring Pace and the other Gallery of Gyrene Greats inductees and highlighting the educational mission of the Marine Scholarship program, the evening included a silent auction, which featured such diverse items as a 2002 Ford Thunderbird convertible, fine wine and jewelry, and a behind-the-scenes tour of NBC's "The Today Show."