On November 5, 2016, CDU held our annual Gala in Arlington, Virginia celebrating an Academic convocation Mass for our graduates. The Founders Award, CDU's highest award, was presented to Mr. Carl Anderson, Supreme Knight of the Knights of Columbus and Archbishop William Lori, Supreme Chaplain of the Knights.

Archbishop Lori was the main celebrant of the Mass, concelebrated by CDU's host, Bishop Paul S. Loverde, Bishop of Arlington and Archbishop Christophe Pierre, the Papal Nuncio.

Blessed Sacrament Parish in Alexandria, Virginia was honored with the Bishop Thomas J. Welsh award. The evening was an intimate gathering of friends, alumni, graduates, diocesan partners, donors, faculty, staff, and board members who enjoyed a delightful dinner, cocktail reception, and silent auction.

Dr. Joseph Braddock who chairs the Board of Trustees' Futures Committee spoke about our commitment to launch a scholarship program for Mission Dioceses of which there are 90 and many of them without any Catholic higher education. Thanks to CDU's mission of using distance education, we are able to reach the peripheries of the Church and serve those without access to traditional Catholic higher education.

The Honorable Susan Malone, CDU board member, chaired the Gala and provided the beautiful silent auction with gifts ranging from retreats to beach vacations.

Mr. Carl Anderson, in his acceptance remarks noted that the Church needs a greater commitment to authentic Catholic education that forms the entire person at every academic level as critical to a strong Catholic identity. He commented, "CDU is visionary and very, very important for the future of our Catholic faith community. It is an educational project that understands the creative opportunities of our new technology but also understands that - even with this new technology - we need Catholic education that forms the entire person."

Please plan to join us November 4th, 2017 for this year's Gala.

CDU honors Supreme Knight Carl Anderson of the Knights of Columbus and Bishop Loverde, as Chairman of the Board of Trustees presents the Founder’s Award.

Graduates Dr. Angelo Giardino, Clarissa Hutchenson, Todd Coury, Dr. Araceli Carnazzo and Todd Mesler, Jr.

CDU president Marianne Mount enjoys the gala with her family.

Papal Nuncio, Archbishop Pierre engages CDU board member Barbara Murphy.

The Honorable Susan Malone presents the Bishop Welsh Parish Award to Father John Kelly, Pastor of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church.