Bishop Gorman honors community partners at Knight of the Gael event

The 26th annual Knight of the Gael benefiting Bishop Gorman High School paid tribute to the school's community partners E.L. Wiegand Foundation, International Game Technology and MGM Mirage.

Guests attending the reception Feb. 20 at Red Rock Resort included Carolyn and T.J. Matthews, Gisella and Andrew Mackay, Mary Cashman, Susan Sullivan, Sue and Barry Becker, Sandee and Tito Tiberti, Mary Kaye Cashman, Mary Ann Dondero, Pat and Robert Mulroy, Izzy Marion, Rene and John Reilly, Maria and Ted Quirk, and Vicki and Frank Fertitta Jr.

Buffets offering fresh fruit and imported cheese surrounded giant ice carvings of the Gael and the school initials.

The reception enabled parents, alumni and friends to socialize and become reacquainted, including guests Rossi and Mary Jo Ralenkotter, Mary Ann Rivera, Carolyn Sparks, Patrick Miller, Randy Becker, Neil Huffey, Denise and Tim Cashman, Rhonda Cashman-Evans, Shannon and Barry Becker Jr., Christa and Todd Morse, and Linda and Mark McKinley.

Mistress of ceremonies was senior student Kristen Kelley. Bishop Joseph A. Pepe delivered the invocation.

Other guests included Connie and Chuck Gerber, Mary Lou and Art Thomas, the Rev. Edward Anderson, Julie and Vince Shaffer, Barbara and Stan Jones, Sandra O'Dell and Douglas Ferraro, Bruce Layne, Angie Wallin, Julie Marie Olson, Kara Tucker, Ann and Matt Jones, and Buffie and Tom Kerestesi.

Following dinner, Richard A. Facciolo, chancellor and vicar for the Education Diocese of Las Vegas, welcomed guests.

Special remarks were made by DaVaun Johnson, class of 2002.

The evening's student speakers were 2008 seniors Jesse Brambilla, Nicholas Nicastro and Kate Ohene.

The event's honorees were recognized for their support of Bishop Gorman.

The E.L. Wiegand Foundation provided the "Ensuring the Legacy" capital campaign with a grant to help the school's new science wing. Accepting on behalf of the foundation was advisory committee member Greg Ferraro.

IGT made one of the first gifts of the recent capital campaign, paving the way for the $52 million raised throughout the campaign. Ron Rivera, senior vice present of IGT, represented the company at the event.

Merlinda Gallegos, vice president of corporate philanthropy, represented honoree MGM Mirage, which made the largest corporate gift in the history of the Tuition Assistance Endowment Fund.

Bishop Gorman's '08 Student Body President Erica Bobak gave closing remarks, followed by the school's chaplain, the Rev. Edward Wagner, offering the benediction.

Hall of Fame dinner: The University of Nevada, Las Vegas College of Business presented its seventh annual Nevada Business Hall of Fame Dinner and Induction Ceremony Feb. 21 at The Mirage.

The event celebrates the accomplishments of entrepreneurs, real estate developers and entertainment pioneers who have contributed to the economic prosperity of Nevada and brought positive recognition to the state.

Among those seen at the college's reception sponsored by Bally Technologies were Mel Wolzinger, Joyce Mack, Terry Wright, Claudine Williams, Kitty Rodman, Ted Quirk, Bill Martin, Patsy and Robert Brinton, Marie Soldo, Jenny DesVaux Oakes, Douglas Cook, Carmen and John Gallagher, Nancy Strouse, Charlene Carter, Thalia Dondero, Debra March, Dan Shaw and Percy Poon.

Paul Jarley, dean of the College of Business, and UNLV President David Ashley spoke about the importance of recognizing those who have helped drive the city's economy. Presenting sponsor was Deloitte & Touche USA LLP.

Sue Manteris of KVBC-TV, Channel 3, served as mistress of ceremonies.

The 2008 Hall of Fame inductees were William N. Pennington of Reno, who took over Circus Circus in Las Vegas in 1974 and opened Circus Circus in Reno in 1978.

William G. Bennett was honored posthumously for his role with Pennington in developing Circus Circus. Bennett also built the Las Vegas Motor Speedway and went on to buy the Sahara. Diana Bennett accepted the award for her late father.

Anthony M. Marlon is the man behind Nevada's oldest and largest HMO, Health Plan of Nevada. He is the founder, chairman of the board, president and chief executive officer of Sierra Health Services.

Arthur M. Smith Jr. was honored posthumously for his career in banking. At age 37, he was named president of the Bank of Nevada, making him the youngest chief executive of a major bank in the United States at the time. He later became chairman of First National Bank and served as a university regent and trustee of the William M. Keck and Donald W. Reynolds foundations. Accepting Smith's award was his wife of 52 years, Charlotte.

Inductee Michael A. Saltman is the managing general partner and president of The Vista Group, a real estate development company. Saltman and his wife, Sonja, funded the Saltman Center for Dispute Resolution at the William S. Boyd School of Law and he is currently leading an effort to develop Midtown UNLV, a proposed project to revitalize the community surrounding the university.

The inductees received a crystal award comprised of six building blocks symbolizing success, vision, creativity, leadership, sense of community and passion.