Celebrating Father Ryan’s 100th School Year at the 46th Annual Legacy Gala

Forging a tradition of faith, knowledge and service, Father Ryan High School opened its doors in 1925. Now, the school celebrates a milestone anniversary: 100 years. Father Ryan president Paul Davis, class of 1981, welcomed nearly 600 members of the Father Ryan community — alumni, parents, board members, faculty, sponsors and friends — to the Music City Center for the school’s 46th annual Legacy Gala.

The evening included a reception previewing silent auction items, like Old Dominion concert tickets and Nashville Predators suite packages. Guests knew it was time for dinner when a chorus of bagpipes played by Julian Gomez, class of 1986, led them into the ballroom for an invocation, prayer, Champagne toast and more. Revelers enjoyed a native greens salad, Leiper’s Fork Distillery whiskey-braised short ribs, and chicken breast stuffed with spinach and mushrooms. For dessert, they could choose between orange olive oil cake and pear chocolate mascarpone cake. 

During his opening remarks, Paul shared testimonials written by alumni reflecting on their time at Father Ryan. One poignant submission came from Monsignor Owen Campion, class of 1958. “As a Father Ryan student, I was part of an institution second to none in Nashville,” he said. “It stood upon and offered to us — not just data learned in classrooms — but a blueprint for meaningful, productive and contented lives.” 

The evening’s live auction featured enticing lots, like a dinner with two bishops at Bishop J. Mark Spalding’s home, a Hunt Brothers Pizza NASCAR Experience with driver Joey Logano, and an exclusive boat cruise with dinner at the Cedar Creek Yacht Club. The event raised crucial funds for tuition assistance, and the festivities concluded with cocktails and dancing. 

The 100Years of Father Ryan celebration is actually a two-year celebration, which began at last September’s Community Celebration event and continues through May 2026, when the school graduates its 100th class.