Event honors life, work of Fr. Jerry Cavanagh, S.J.

June 22, 2023
At left, a small medallion featuring Fr. Gerald Cavangh's likeness on it sits in a case, with a program underneath, reading Fr. Gerald F. Cavanagh, S.J., 1931-2022. The medallion reads, Fr. Gerald F. Cavanagh, S.J., Fisher Chair of Business Ethics. On the right, five people smile as they sit indoors around a table.

More than 150 people came together on June 3 to celebrate the life of Professor Emeritus Fr. Gerald Cavanagh, S.J.

Alumni, faculty, staff and family members came together at what was originally planned to be a retirement party for Fr. Cavanagh, but changed into a celebration of his life after he passed away last November.

The event included Mass at St. Ignatius Chapel on the McNichols Campus and a dinner and silent auction. Items included collections of Cavanagh’s seminal works in business ethics and other prizes donated by supporters and alumni.

A new book, Business Ethics and Social Responsibility: Essential Works of Fr. Gerald F. Cavanagh, S.J. was published in conjunction with the event.

Attendees watched video montages of Fr. Cavanagh and listened to remembrances by friends, colleagues and family members. Guests received commemorative medallions with Fr. Cavanagh’s likeness designed by Marie Henderson, RSM.

Including sponsorship pledges, cash donations, ticket sales, and silent auction revenue, more than $230,000 was raised at the event to support the new Cavanagh Fund for Ethical Solutions to Social Problems.

A woman speaks from a podium inside of the Student Fitness Center. A red University of Detroit Mercy banner hangs from the podium.
More than 100 people sit around tables inside of the Student Fitness Center, watching a video being player on a projector screen.
A man wearing a nametag that reads Fr. Gilbert Sunghera, S.J. speaks from a podium indoors.
Three Detroit Mercy administrators sit around a table and watch a video being played.
Three students stand inside of the Student Fitness Center, one speaking from a podium. A red University of Detroit Mercy, College of Business Administration banner hangs from the podium.
A man speaks from a podium, with a red University of Detroit Mercy banner hanging from it.

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