The Bellarmine community was celebrated the evening of March 12 as 420 guests attended the 46th Golden Bell Auction, with proceeds benefiting the school’s Direct Tuition Assistance Fund. This was the first time since 2019 that the event was able to be held live and on campus, due to the pandemic.
The dinner and live auction took place in the Patrick Wayne Valley Memorial Gymnasium, with the meal prepared by Bellarmine chef Jeremy Soulia and his Liccardo Kitchen team. Great jazz music was performed by The Speakeasies throughout the evening.
Prior to the program and dinner, Mass was held in Leontyne Chapel with Fr. Mario Prietto, S.J., superior of the Bellarmine Jesuit community, as celebrant. Guests also enjoyed a reception on the Leo J. and Mary G. Lucas Quad before moving into the gym. The pre-meal invocation was delivered by Bellarmine chancellor, Fr. Jerry Wade, S.J. ’55.
Bidding on unique silent auction items occurred throughout the event, and auctioneer Mark Alman presided over the exciting live auction. Leading into the Last Bell Standing segment of the auction, remarks were delivered by student Ryan Milligan ’22 and Bellarmine president Chris Meyercord ’88, both of whom emphasized the importance of supporting the Direct Tuition Assistance Fund. The school is budgeted to distribute $6 million in tuition assistance this year, some of which comes from Bellarmine’s endowment but much of which is the result of individual fundraising and events, including the Golden Bell Auction and the Mothers’ Guild Fashion Show for Tuition Assistance.
The event, presented by the Office of Advancement, was managed by Leslie Goodykoontz, who was assisted by Tracy Del Carlo and numerous staff, as well as Melanie Thomson and Savannah Leone and dozens of student and adult volunteers. We are grateful to all the participants, underwriters, and sponsors for their tremendous support. While final numbers have not been determined, initial estimates are that net proceeds from the 46th Golden Bell Auction will exceed $400,000 which will go a long way in helping many young men and their families with tuition assistance.