I was totally impressed by last Friday’s Sesquicentennial Gala. I was glad to see Emporia State’s administration, faculty, community, students and alumni rally to raise scholarship funds – not to mention that in a town where one of the fanciest restaurants is Applebee’s, having a black-tie event was quite exciting.

I didn’t have to pay to get in because I had art on display, but after that experience I would gladly shell out $75 for the next gala. For those of you interested in dropping some cash on a fun and uplifting experience – if the opportunity should arise again – here’s what you would have to look forward to: a classy atmosphere; an excuse to dress up; performances and exhibitions by ESU students; socializing with grown-ups and lots and lots of finger food and free drinks.

I know an event like this doesn’t quite fit into a college student’s budget, but, like

cookies, galas are a “sometimes snack.” It’s something to budget for and get excited about.

It also seems much more worth it when you stop thinking about it as paying almost $100 to eat hors d’oeuvres, wax your handlebar moustache and wear a monocle. Rather, you are donating to a good cause, socializing with the people who organize and care about ESU and eating food you wouldn’t have a chance to sample ordinarily.

While there, I spoke with President Michael Shonrock. He told me that the gala

is the direction that ESU is heading and asked if I liked it. I said yes, and I meant it. I’m almost sad to graduate in May. I’m excited for ESU’s future, but I fear that once I move away, I’m going to lose touch with this place.

Even if I can’t find a way to take a day or two out of the year to check in, I do hope that my collegiate posterity will find ways to stay excited and connected with our university, whether or not it means spending money. As we said many-a-time at the gala, stingers up!