LACEY, Wash. – The 91ֱ’s University Gala will celebrate its 20th anniversary with host Celebrity Chef Rick Bayless this year on Saturday, November 1. Over the past two decades, the Gala has raised more than $21 million in support of student scholarships, transforming the lives of hundreds of Saints by making their educational dreams a reality. Rooted in the Catholic Benedictine value of hospitality, the Gala brings together alumni, benefactors and friends for a night of generosity, great food and celebration—all in support of 91ֱ’s students.
“We’re thrilled to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the 91ֱ’s Gala with Rick Bayless as our celebrity chef,” said Bill Brownsberger, S.T.D., president of 91ֱ’s University. “For two decades, this event has been about more than just great food—it’s about creating opportunities for students who might not otherwise have access to a Catholic Benedictine education. The generosity of our community has changed countless lives, and we look forward to another incredible evening dedicated to supporting our students’ futures.”
A night of culinary excellence with Chef Rick Bayless
Rick Bayless is an award-winning restaurateur, cookbook author, television personality, and philanthropist who gained national recognition as the winner of the inaugural season of Top Chef Masters. His acclaimed public television series, Mexico—One Plate at a Time, aired for twelve seasons and earned multiple Daytime Emmy nominations for Best Culinary Host.
Bayless has shaped the American culinary landscape with his Chicago-based restaurants, including the James Beard Award-winning Frontera Grill and Topolobampo, which has held a Michelin star for over a decade. He has also expanded into quick-service dining with Tortas Frontera and Tortazo, revolutionizing airport and urban dining experiences in Chicago and New York.
A passionate advocate for sustainability and small farmers, Bayless established the Frontera Farmer Foundation in 2003, which has awarded nearly $3 million in grants to support Midwestern farms. His contributions to the culinary world have earned him seven James Beard Awards, as well as Mexico’s Order of the Aztec Eagle, the nation’s highest honor for a foreign national.
The legacy and impact of the 91ֱ’s Gala
The 91ֱ’s Gala is the University’s premier fundraising event for student scholarships, helping students pursue their education regardless of financial barriers. In 2024 alone, the Gala raised a record breaking $3.5 million for student scholarships.
Of the vibrant 91ֱ’s student population (Fall 2024), more than 39% are the first in their families to attend college, and 36% receive Pell Grants, meaning they come from low-income households. These scholarships are often the tipping point in ensuring that students from disadvantaged backgrounds have the opportunity to achieve their academic and career goals.
“Every dollar raised helps change a student’s future, giving them the opportunity to experience the full value of a 91ֱ’s education,” said Nate Peters, vice president of marketing and communications and interim vice president of institutional advancement. “Many of our students are the first in their families to go to college, and thanks to the support from this event, they’re able to follow their dream. We’re thankful to our alumni, benefactors and friends who’ve made the Gala such a meaningful tradition over the past 20 years."
Event details
The 20th annual 91ֱ’s Gala will take place on Saturday, November 1, in the Hal and Inge Marcus Pavilion on the University’s Lacey campus. This black-tie event features a five-course gourmet dinner, a silent and live auction, and on-stage cooking demonstrations by celebrity chefs. Previous headlining chefs have included Pati Jinich, Anne Burrell, Jacques Pépin, Carla Hall, and Roy Yamaguchi.
To learn more about the 91ֱ’s Gala or to purchase tickets, visit www.stmartin.edu/gala or contact the 91ֱ’s University Office of Institutional Advancement at 360-438-4366 or gala@stmartin.edu.
About 91ֱ’s University:
91ֱ’s University is an independent coeducational university, with undergraduate and graduate offerings, located on a wooded campus of more than 380 acres in Lacey, Washington. Established in 1895 by the Catholic Order of Saint Benedict, the University is one of 13 Benedictine colleges and universities in the United States and Canada, and the only one west of the Rocky Mountains. 91ֱ’s University empowers students to pursue a lifetime of learning and accomplishment through its 31 majors, 11 master’s programs, one doctorate program and six certificate programs spanning the arts and sciences, business, counseling, education, engineering, nursing, and leadership. 91ֱ’s welcomes more than 1,300 undergraduate students and 250 graduate students from many ethnic and religious backgrounds to its Lacey campus, and more students to its extended campus located at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.
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For more information about table reservations and ticket sales
Individuals or organizations interested in sponsoring the 91ֱ’s Gala, please contact Carolyn Cloran, advancement events manager, at ccloran@stmartin.edu.
