During last Thursday's Patrons Reception at the Residence of the Holy See to the United Nations, the Bethlehem University Foundation welcomed new Patrons and celebrated the work of Bethlehem University. The reception was graciously hosted by Archbishop Bernardito Auza, Apostolic Nuncio and Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations. Archbishop Auza is pictured receiving an icon from John Schlageter, Executive Director of the Foundation. Click here to view more photos of this reception .
The Chairs of the evening were Monsignor Archimandrite Robert L. Stern and Her Excellency Vicki Downey, DGCHS. Monsignor Stern was instrumental in the creation of the Bethlehem University Foundation and was a founding member of its Board of Directors. He served as Chair of the Board for seven years. Vicki Downey is the Lieutenant of the Eastern Lieutenancy of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem and is a member of the Board of Directors of the Foundation.
During the evening, Vicki Downey was invested as a Bronze Patron of the Foundation. She is pictured with Brother Peter Bray, FSC, Vice Chancellor (President) of Bethlehem University, and Sister Irene O'Neill, CSJ, Chair of the Board of the Bethlehem University Foundation.
Invested as a Gold Patron was Tony Saca. His wife, Ilham Saca was invested as a Gold Patron in 2017 and is a member of the International Board of Regents of Bethlehem University. Tony and Ilham are natives of Bethlehem and strong supporters of the University. Brother Peter Bray, Tony and Ilham Saca, and Sister Irene O'Neill are pictured together during the reception.
During his presentation, John Schlageter wished farewell to Brother Denis Loft, FSC. Brother Denis served as the Vice President for Advancement at Bethlehem University and was a member of the Board of Directors of the Foundation. He now returns to work in his native Australia. Those gathered wished him well and thanked him for his two years of service.
The  Patrons of the Bethlehem University Foundation  were created in 2016 and are those individuals or couples who make a qualifying gift to the Patrons Endowment. By their generosity, the members of this giving society invest themselves into the work of the Foundation in its sole mission of supporting and promoting Bethlehem University. The proceeds of the $130,000 raised for this reception from the donors, sponsors, and 90 guests, will be invested into the Patrons Endowment. Gifts to endowed funds are "forever gifts" that create a long-term and sustainable future for Bethlehem University.
To learn more or to inquire about joining the Patrons, please contact John Schlageter, the Executive Director of the Foundation, at  jls@bufusa.org,  or 240-241-4381, or  click here to visit the web page of the Foundation on the Patrons of the Bethlehem University Foundation .

The Patrons have been underwritten by the generosity of Dr. Samir and Mrs. Mary Abu-Ghazaleh.
The Foundation is grateful for all those who helped make the evening a success. We hope you will consider joining the Foundation at the November 14th Awards Reception at the Apostolic Nunciature in Washington, DC. During the reception, the Foundation will honor the Most Reverend Gerald F. Kicanas and the Northwestern Lieutenancy of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre for their support of the Bethlehem University Foundation. For more details click here . We hope to see you there!
About Bethlehem University:
Jointly founded by the Vatican and the De La Salle Christian Brothers, Bethlehem University annually enrolls more than 3,200 students in bachelor, master, and professional diploma programs. A Catholic co-educational institution, the University is the only Catholic/Christian university in the Holy Land. The University's mission is to provide quality higher education to the people of the Holy Land and to serve them in its role as a center for the advancement, sharing, and use of knowledge.

About Bethlehem University Foundation:
The Bethlehem University Foundation is the U.S. registered not-for-profit organization entrusted with the sole mission of supporting and promoting Bethlehem University. The Foundation is a means for United States citizens to make a tax deductible donation in support of Bethlehem University.

To learn more about the Foundation, visit  www.bufusa.org   
or like the Foundation's Facebook page " Bethlehem University Foundation "