Gala 2007 receives an award of excellence
By Cheryl Anderson Brown
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(Above) The FlightWorks terminal became a ballroom for the 2007 Arts Benefit Gala. (Below) (From left) Dean Joseph Meeks arrived at the event escorted by "military police" in keeping with the 1940s American nostalgia theme. Photos by Poane |
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Kennesaw State University College of the Arts recently received an award of excellence for special events from District III of the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education for the 2007 Benefit Gala. The gala, "Come Fly With Us," was selected from events submitted by colleges and universities from throughout the southeastern United States.
CASE is the national organization for public relations, alumni relations and fundraising professionals working for educational institutions. There are more than 4,000 members in the nine-state area covered by CASE District III. The district received more than 3,000 award entries this year. The special events category recognizes excellence in fundraising or alumni events.
"Come Fly With Us," which was held at the FlightWorks terminal at McCollum Air Field on April 28, 2007, included silent/live auctions, dinner and dancing to music performed by the KSU Jazz Ensemble amidst classic and modern aircraft. The "ballroom" design and entertainment were inspired by 1940s-style American nostalgia.
With a budget of only $65,000, the event grossed more than $325,000, bringing the grand total for six years of galas to $1.3 million. Funds from the event benefitted scholarship endowmens and student-learning initiatives.
Other institutions recognized in the special events category included grand award winner James Madison Univerity; additional awards of excellence winners the University of Memphis, Virginia Commonwealth University and the University of Central Florida; and special merit award winners University of Virginia School of Nursing, Northern Kentucky University, University of Florida College of the Nursing, Auburn University and Emory University.
Visit the "Come Fly with Us" website for details and photos.