All Four Living King’s College Presidents to Attend Inaugural Red & Gold Gala

King’s College today announced its first Red & Gold Gala—a new premier fundraising event honoring philanthropy, professional success, and lifetime achievement—will be attended by all four living college presidents whose tenures cover more than four decades of the institution’s history.

The Gala takes place on May 10, 2025, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Mohegan Pennsylvania.

The three honorees include Timothy J. Morris ’64, a 30-year member of the board of directors who will receive the Philanthropy Award, and Thomas R. Smith ’77, who has been chair of the board since 2010 and will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award. McCarthy Tire Service, a family-owned company that has operated for almost 100 years under the leadership of multiple generations of King’s College alumni, will receive the Organizational Excellence Award.

“We’re proud to honor Tom Smith, Tim Morris, and McCarthy Tire Services with the inaugural President’s Awards for their outstanding dedication, leadership, and impact on the King’s College community,” said Greg Morgan, vice president of Institutional Advancement. “Their contributions to both the College and our society perfectly align with the spirit of these prestigious awards.”

In recognition of the awards named in their honor, the Gala will mark the first occasion that all four living King’s College Presidents—Rev. Thomas P. Looney, C.S.C., Ph.D.; Rev. John J. Ryan, C.S.C., Ph.D.; Rev. Thomas O’Hara, C.S.C.; and Rev. James Lackenmier, C.S.C.—will be together in one place.

 “I had the privilege and blessing of serving at King’s during the presidencies of Fathers Lackenmier, O’Hara, and Ryan,” said current King’s College president Rev. Thomas P. Looney, C.S.C., Ph.D.  “These men, my brothers in Holy Cross, were zealous in their ministry of leadership, overcame unique challenges, and forged new and bold initiatives during their presidencies. I look forward to celebrating the College’s inaugural Red & Gold Gala with them for their leadership has set the foundation for King’s continued success.”

Both attendees and non-attendees are welcome to bid on exclusive items in the silent auction. Tickets are still available through April 28, 2025. For more information, visit www.kings.edu/gala2025.

About the Honorees

Lifetime Achievement Award: Thomas R. Smith ’77

This award recognizes a leader whose vision, service, and commitment have helped shape the institution’s legacy. Smith has been on the King's board of directors since 1995 and has served as chair since 2010. He is also a recipient of the Rev. James Lackenmier, C.S.C., Award for Achievement and Leadership.

Smith excels in financial and business acumen in domestic and international environments. For nearly 40 years, he worked with the Campbell Soup Company, where he held various positions including vice president of finance for Godiva Chocolatier, Pepperidge Farm, Campbell USA, Campbell International, and Global Biscuits and Snacks. As vice president of strategic initiatives, he coordinated the sale of Campbell International businesses to KKR & Ferraro for $2.5 billion. Smith also served as vice president of corporate audit during his tenure at Campbell.

From 2021 through 2024, Smith served as an Executive Consultant for Mattel Inc. where he was responsible for transforming Mattel’s audit function from an outsourced model to an in-house function. 

Philanthropy Award: Timothy J. Morris ’64

The Philanthropic Leadership Award celebrates an individual who has demonstrated exceptional generosity and commitment to advancing the College’s mission. A 30-year member of the King’s College board of directors, Morris was the keynote speaker for the first McGowan School of Business Forum held in New York in October 2005. He was also the first recipient of the Lackenmier Award for Achievement and Leadership in 2014. 

Along with fellow board member David A. Schankweiler ’81, Morris co-chaired the King’s College Send Us Forth campaign, a five-year fundraising effort that raised $56 million, making it the largest in the institution’s history.

In 1967, Morris began his investment career with Dean Witter and Co. From 1975 until 1986 he served as a portfolio manager and later head of the Endowment and Foundation Asset Management Division for Bank of New York. He left Bank of New York to become the president of the Portfolio Group Inc., the New York subsidiary of Chemical Bank. Morris later joined Bessemer Trust as its senior managing director and chief investment officer.

Organizational Excellence Award: McCarthy Tire Service

The Organizational Excellence Award honors an organization or institution that has exemplified outstanding leadership, innovation, and dedication to the community.

McCarthy Tire Service is a family-owned and operated commercial tire company that has served the transportation and manufacturing industry for almost 100 years. It's the fifth largest independent commercial tire dealer in the United States with more than 80 locations and 13 retread manufacturing plants that cover nine states.

Since its founding in 1926 in Wilkes-Barre, each generation of the McCarthy family, including several King’s college alumni, has been involved in the community and donated their time to local boards, churches, nonprofit organizations, and civic groups throughout the Wyoming Valley.

McCarthy Tire Service is led by president John D. McCarthy class of ’86 and chief financial officer Kathleen McCarthy Lambert ’83, who also serves on the King’s board of directors as vice chair. The McCarthy family continues to be very engaged in the College in various volunteer roles. The McCarthy Stadium at the Betzler Athletics Complex is named in honor of their parents, John D. McCarthy ’57 and Cecilia McCarthy.