Interim President Fredrick Bonato with 2025 De La Salle Dinner Medal recipient Ed Bastian.
@MANHATTANEDU / INSTAGRAM
Isaiah Rosario, Senior Writer
Manhattan University’s annual De La Salle Dinner resulted in even more success than expected this year after raising a record total of $4.1 million. Delta Airlines CEO Ed Bastian was honored during the event with the Manhattan University 2025 De La Salle Medal.
Interim President Frederick Bonato spoke to The Quadrangle about how the money that was fundraised will go directly to scholarships which will help students fund their education. Bonato spoke to The Quadrangle about how the university is not raising money to make money, but raising it to give back to students.
“It’s direct,” Bonato said. “We talk about a college or university, we talk about raising money, we’re not raising money to make money. We’re raising money to put it back into the mission and give it back to students. That’s what I told the group on the night of the dinner. I said, ‘Everything we do is for students,’ and I got a resounding response to that because they agree with that.”
Director of Institutional Giving and Special Programs Catherine Hernon spoke in detail about how the massive donation was attributed to many key factors, specifically highlighting two people close to MU.
“The record-breaking $4.1 million raised at this year’s De La Salle Dinner can be attributed to several key factors, primarily the influence of the award recipient, Ed Bastian, and the Chair of the Committee, Steve Squeri ’81 ’86,” Hernon wrote in an email to The Quadrangle. “Both individuals have earned immense respect in corporate America, not only for their leadership in Fortune 500 companies but also for their personal commitment to faith, family, and community. Together, these factors—coupled with a well-executed event—played a critical role in raising a record-breaking $4.1 million for the university.”
Hernon also wrote about how the dinner helps strengthen the university’s relationship with corporate and philanthropic partners by providing and creating a platform for connection, collaboration and giving back. The attendance of leaders from major corporations shows the university’s prominence in the business and philanthropic world.
Vice President of College Advancement Thomas Mauriello also gave high praise for the success of the dinner. He additionally wanted to thank Squeri and Bastian for their help in making the dinner a huge success.
“The remarkable success of our 2025 De La Salle Medal Dinner testifies to the enduring strength of Manhattan University’s Lasallian Catholic educational mission—and the universally high regard in which it is held among alumni, friends, and distinguished public figures,” Mauriello wrote in an email to The Quadrangle. “Above all, it was our privilege to honor a renowned Catholic leader in Ed Bastian, CEO of Delta Air Lines. We are especially grateful for the leadership of our distinguished Board chair, Stephen Squeri ’81, ’86, CEO of American Express. Thanks to Ed, Steve, and our Advancement Team, this year’s dinner adds special strength to our mission.”
Dinners like these also create valuable memories and moments. President Bonato said that the moment that stuck with him was when he was having a conversation with Bastian.
“It was very interesting to get to know him,” Bonato said. “He comes from a very modest, working class background. He’s made his way in the world, and I come from that, as many of our students come from that, and it kind of struck me, really you can do anything you set your mind to.”