ANNUAL CELEBRATION
Annual Celebration 2026
With generous support for our student programming and administrative needs this past fall, we look to our spring fundraising to help us close the gap in our budgeted expenses for the academic year. This year, we are hoping to raise $155,000 through our Annual Celebration fundraiser.
2026 Servant Leader Award Recipients
Max Mikkelsen (‘26)
Max is a senior graduating this May with a B.B.A. in Accounting and a B.A. in Religious Studies. A dedicated leader in our community, he has been deeply involved in the Servant Leadership Council, from mentoring other men in their relationship with Christ to helping ensure our liturgies run smoothly and are well served.
Read below to hear Max reflect on his experience at the Catholic Center and the joy he has found serving at The C throughout his time in college.
Thinking back on my time at SMU, I can’t help but notice the Catholic Center’s incredible growth. Since my freshman year, our mass numbers have almost doubled, our OCIA class sizes have tripled, and we have more students than ever coming to Bible studies. This trend is not unique to SMU; we’re experiencing a revival of young people coming back to the Church. Being part of the Catholic Center’s work on campus has been the primary joy of my time at SMU. Over the past 4 years, I’ve served as a FYSH leader, coordinated our Mustang Awakening retreat, and currently serve as Liturgy Chair. These roles have taught me valuable lessons about leadership that I’ll take with me to graduation and beyond.
But the growth we’ve experienced has not been linear, nor has it come without its share of hardships. Over the past few years there have times where it felt like we were bearing no fruit. Looking back on those moments, our Lord was teaching us to be patient and trust in Him. We don’t look for success in numbers, popularity, or any external metric; we see God’s work in the lives transformed by His grace. Looking back to 4 years ago, much has changed, but “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever”. Looking into the future, may we “who sow in tears reap with shouts of joy”! I look forward to seeing God’s work on our campus continue through the SMU Catholic Center.
- Max Mikkelsen (‘26)
Jeanette is a graduating senior at SMU majoring in Finance with a minor in Religious Studies. A steady, joyful presence at The C, she has served in many roles on our Servant Leadership Council and as a student worker at the front desk.
Below, Jeanette shares how her time at The C shaped the spiritual life she longed for and formed her in what it means to truly live the Catholic faith.
Over the past four years, I have had the privilege of being part of this amazing Catholic community. Forming friendships rooted in faith and experiencing genuine support through the chaplains who serve our students with dedication and kindness has added tremendous value to the spiritual life I yearned for.
Through the opportunity to serve alongside others, I have witnessed God’s love radiating from every individual. Seeing others live in imitation of Christ is truly inspiring and reflects what the Catholic faith is all about: living a life of holiness, which all human beings are made for. Specifically, the blessing of serving as a First-Year Student Homes leader, Community Building co-chair, and Catholic Hispanic Association co-chair has given me the opportunity to serve as a servant leader not only of SMU Catholic, but of Christ, and this will be carried with me as I graduate this May.
Here at the Catholic Center, I have come to discover my true meaning in life: to live for Christ, knowing that without Him, I am nothing. I have also come to understand that we are not meant to walk this journey alone, but that we are in this together!
- Jeanette Gutierrez (‘26)
Jeanette Gutierrez (‘26)
Michael Fogarty
Michael, and his wife Deborah, have been involved in Catholic Campus Ministry for over 10 years. Michael is quick to ask what he can do to strengthen the ministry and regularly reaches out to inquire of our needs and offer suggestions to enrich student engagement within the ministry.
This year, Michael established a coffee ministry in honor of his son, John Michael Fogarty. The coffee ministry has created a welcoming space for students to gather, connect, and encounter Christ in their daily lives. What began as a simple offering has quickly become a place of hospitality and belonging, fostering conversation, friendship and moments of grace in the midst of busy schedules.
Below, Michael shares more of his son’s spirit and legacy.
John Michael Fogarty loved developing relationships and encouraging others, especially in their faith. He often accomplished both over a cup of a coffee.
One of his former Ernst & Young colleagues said “John Michael was one of the most genuine people I ever worked with. He made the world slow down, and he was always so intentional and thoughtful about the time he shared with others”. John Michael personified “encourage one another and build each other up” (Thessalonians 5:11)
The Holy Spirit was strong with John Michael. Once when we were on a difficult hike in a national park, we reached the top of the mountain and could see God’s vast ocean in the distance. He stopped and asked, “how can anyone see this and doubt the existence of God?” When John Michael was at Auburn he earned two degrees summa cum laude, while he also grew more in his faith walk. He formed bonds and relationships that span time and death, pursuing deep faith topics over Bible study and coffee hangouts. He continued to “work out” his faith in his daily life. (Philippians).
We pray that this coffee ministry in John Michael’s name, will create a comfortable, safe environment for students to develop relationships and encourage one another, especially in their faith walk with our Lord Jesus Christ.
-Michael Fogarty
An Evening to Celebrate & Support Our Mission
Every year, we come together as a community—students, alumni, parents, and friends—to celebrate what God is doing through Catholic Campus Ministry at SMU. Our Annual Celebration fundraiser is an opportunity to support the mission of forming young Catholics into faithful disciples and celebrate our outstanding Servant Leaders.
Our Annual Celebration Fundraiser plays a vital role in supporting ongoing programs and sustaining the Catholic Center at SMU.
College is a time of deep searching—intellectually, socially, and spiritually. In the midst of this, Catholic Campus Ministry is a home away from home where students encounter Christ through the sacraments, community, and formation. Your support helps us provide the spiritual and practical resources they need to grow in faith during college.
Supporting a Home for Faith
Each year at the Annual Celebration, we recognize individuals with the Servant Leader Award who have gone above and beyond in living out their faith and serving our ministry.
These honorees reflect the heart of our mission, living as true servant leaders in our community. We look forward to celebrating their impact and witnessing how God has worked through them!
Honoring Servant Leaders
Help us Close the Gap!
Full-Time Ministry Staff & Spiritual Direction
Catholic Campus Ministry provides students with the guidance they need to navigate their faith through the challenges of college. Our full-time chaplain is a steady presence, offering the sacraments and meeting with students daily. This year, in addition to our chaplain, we are blessed to have two full-time campus ministers, who plan events that help students grow in their relationship with Christ, form lasting friendships, and receive spiritual direction as they discern God’s call in their lives.
The unmet portion of our ministry staffing expenses is $120,000 this year.
Music Ministry & Liturgical Supplies
Worship is at the heart of everything we do. With daily Mass, three Sunday Masses, and 11 hours of Adoration, over 350 students gather weekly to meet Christ in the sacraments. Sacred music also enriches our worship and draws students into deeper prayer. Led by Dave & Lauren Moore, our music ministry elevates these moments as do the Bibles and other liturgical supplies that make our worship possible.
The cost for music ministry & liturgical supplies is $35,000 per year.
How You Can Be Part of Our Annual Celebration
This ministry exists because of the generosity of people like you—those who believe in the power of faith to transform lives. Here’s how you can help:
Make a Gift: Every donation, large or small, makes an impact. Click here to help us reach our $155,000 goal.
Join Us for the Celebration on May 1st: A joyful evening with good company and a shared mission.
Pray for Our Students: That they may grow in their love for Christ and His Church.
We are so grateful for each and every one of you who make up our community. If you have any questions about the Annual Celebration, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Katie Quinn at kquinn@smucatholic.org.