Nearly 200 people attended the Gyrene Gala at the Ritz-Carlton Beach Resort in Naples Saturday night to raise money for scholarships that will help former Marines and other combat veterans attend Ave Maria University. A total of six students now receive scholarship aid from this endeavor, including Stephen Henley, 23, pictured at right with his wife, Krista.
A significant new endowment for the effort was announced at the dinner -- a $100,000 gift from Doreen Garrett and her family. Mrs. Garrett is the CEO of Otis Technology Inc., an upstate New York manufacturer of gun-cleaning systems. Mrs. Garrett founded the company in 1985, when she was in the 11th grade. Her parents, Jerry and Lori Williams, live in Ave Maria.
Four men were honored at the dinner as members of the Gyrene Gallery of Greats. They are: Retired USMC Major General James Livingston; Retired USMC Col. Harvey C. "Barney" Barnum; Richard Munro, former chairman of Time Warner; and Marine Corp legend Lt. General Victor Krulak, who died in December at age 95. Both General Livingston and Col. Barnum are recipients of the Medal of Honor. (photos by Marilyn Cole)
Nearly 200 people attended the Gyrene Gala at the Ritz-Carlton Beach Resort in Naples Saturday night to raise money for scholarships that will help former Marines and other combat veterans attend Ave Maria University. A total of six students now receive scholarship aid from this endeavor, including Stephen Henley, 23, pictured at right with his wife, Krista.