Gala
Ursuline Gala History
For the first eleven years, the Ursuline gala was celebrated as the “Brescia Ball.” In 2019, we rebranded our event as “An Evening for Ursuline” and continued our annual tradition with a joyful community event on campus in the Reynolds Center. In 2020 and again in 2021, the challenges of the pandemic led us to host two consecutive virtual galas, themed as “Ursuline’s Got Talent.” Although the venue and format has changed over the years, each event inspires us and reminds us how lucky we are to have such a supportive community. We gratefully acknowledge the past gala honorees for their dedication to the motto of Serviam and Ursuline Academy’s mission, and remember the success of our past events.
The Spirit of St. Angela Award
The Ursuline gala includes the presentation of the Spirit of Saint Angela Award, which was established to honor alumnae and other members of the community whose life, work, and dedication to the service of others demonstrate a strong integration of the Ursuline mission with the courage, kindness, and humility of Saint Angela.
Previous Galas
2025: An Evening for Ursuline
November 21, 2025
Spirit of St. Angela Award Honoree: Sr. Ellen Dauwer, S.C. ’73
Spirit of St. Angela Community Award Recipient: St. Anthony Shrine
Emcees: Grace Jean ’26 and Jo Keefe ’26
2024: An Evening for Ursuline
November 15, 2024
Spirit of St. Angela Award Honorees: Dr. Elizabeth Mullen ’81, P’18, ’20
Spirit of St. Angela Faculty/Staff Award: Elizabeth Mathew, Ursuline science teacher
Emcee: Mel Gillespie
2023: An Evening for Ursuline - Faith, Courage, and Joy
November 18, 2023
Spirit of St. Angela Award Honorees: Maureen Doran ’65, Regina Sullivan ’78, and Sarah Mettasophia ’03
Spirit of St. Angela Faculty Award: Susan Glancy, Fine Arts Department Chair
Emcees: Lilly Higgins ’16 and Maggie Chipman ’17
2022: An Evening for Ursuline - Celebrating 75 Years!
November 18, 2022
Spirit of St. Angela Award Honorees: Beth Sheehan Collins ’02, Alicen J. McGowan ’65, Seta V. Nersessian ’76, Honorable Marianne B. Bowler ’63 (Ursuline Springfield Alumna)
Thanks to all of you, we were able to raise $200,000 for tuition assistance programs for our students.
2021: Ursuline's Got Talent (Virtual Gala)
December 12, 2021
Emcee: Caitlin Burchill ’08
Alumnae Commentators: Shannon Dwyer Connery ’04, Lilly Higgins ’16, and Maura McCarthy Polles ’86
This amazing community effort brought in more than $100,000 for Ursuline Academy.
2020: Ursuline's Got Talent (Virtual Gala)
December 15, 2020
Sponsorships, donations, and auction item purchases from Ursuline’s Got Talent helped to raise more than $130,000.
2019: An Evening for Ursuline
November 16, 2019
Spirit of St. Angela Award Honorees: Carol Luccio Farwell ’67, P ’96, ’00 and Myra Kenny ’10
Brescia Ball 2018: Denim and Diamonds
November 3, 2018
Honorees: Ursuline’s students – the diamonds in our midst!
For the first time in its twelve-year history, the Brescia Ball was held on the Ursuline campus in the Reynolds Family Athletic & Convocation Center.
Brescia Ball 2017: See What Magic Makes Possible
November 4, 2017
2017 Honorees: Suzanne & Robert Lawler P’11, ’15, and Sue and William Lawler P’13, ’15, ’16
Guest Speaker: Shannon Lawler ’15
Your contributions, combined with funds raised from sponsorships, ticket sales and item purchases helped us to raise over $125,000.
Brescia Ball 2016: Light Up the Night
November 5, 2016
Honorees: Patricia Leary Dowling ’52 and Mary Jo Gorman Keaney ’82
Brescia Ball 2015: Be Smart. Be Strong. Be Spirited.
November 15, 2015
Honorees David Putnam P’89, Richard Osterberg
The Brescia Ball raised over $134,000 for the students of the Academy.
Brescia Ball 2014: Eat. Pray. Love. Shine.
November 15, 2014
Honorees: Eve Kelley ’86 and Cara Gould ’89
The event raised $130,000 for the school.
Brescia Ball 2013: The Ursuline Academy Awards
November 23, 2013
Honorees: Elizabeth McManus Howard ’76, P’04, ’08, ’12, Peter McManus P’00
The 6th annual Brescia Ball raised $110,000 for Ursuline Academy.
Brescia Ball 2012: Miracle on Lowder Street
November 17, 2012
Honorees: Sr. Bridget Haase OSU, Barbara (Gaquin) Brandt ’65, P ’97, ’07, Kevin Hines, P ’93
The Brescia Ball raised $85,000 for Ursuline. Many thanks to all who joined us in making the evening a success!
Brescia Ball 2011: It's a Wonderful Life
Honorees: Mrs. Mary Anderson, Sister Angela Krippendorf OSU ’59, and Lisa Rubini ’79
Brescia Ball 2010: Unmask their Potentia
Honorees: Sister Nesta Beaudoin, OSU, Mrs. Marguerite Costa P ‘79, ‘86, GP ‘12, and John and Celia Fisher P ‘07
Brescia Ball 2009: Imagine the Possibilities
Honorees: Marianne LeBlanc ‘86, Michael and Donna O’Connor P ‘03, ‘08 and Past Principals of the Academy: Sister Rita Bourassa, o.s.u., Sister Dorothy Doyle, o.s.u., Sister Laurianne Michaud, o.s.u., Sister Mercedes Videira, o.s.u.
Brescia Ball 2008: One Brilliant Night
Honorees: Carol Tomase P ‘89, Rosemary Morteo P ‘08, Katherine Nolan Levesque ‘77, and Sister Martha Gleason OSU ‘54