By Chrissy Dill, Staff writer
Courtesy photo
The Alumni Association of Southeastern Oklahoma State University recently held the Gold and Blue Gala and Auction at the Visual and Performing Arts Center on Feb. 26. The Gold and Blue Gala is an annual event sponsored by the SE Alumni Association, and proceeds go toward the association’s scholarship endowment for students.
“We had 145 present at the Gold and Blue Gala,” said Mary Frank, Chair of the Scholarship Committee of the Alumni Association. According to Frank, the silent and live auctions held at the gala earned the Scholarship Committee just over $13,000 for the scholarship fund.
“We have people who donate to the auction,” said Director of Alumni Relations Stephanie Davison. “From ticket sales and auction, that’s where money comes from,” she explained.
The Scholarship Committee will be awarding $5,000 in scholarships for the 2011 school year, according to Frank. “Last year, we gave $4,250,” she said. The gala is “a way people can go and have a good time and raise money for scholarships for our students.”
The Scholarship Committee chooses students to receive the alumni scholarships from the student scholarship/tuition waiver application online at se.edu. Frank explained the criteria the committee searches for in its possible scholarship recipients. “Very heavily we consider need, GPA, activities and involvement in community and campus.”
According to Davison, if a student’s parents or grandparents are alumni it is an advantage.
The gala has contributed $143,066 to the Alumni Scholarship Endowment Fund since July 1, 2000, according to the 2011 Gold and Blue Gala program. “This happens only because we have alumni and friends that generously donate items for us to auction,” said Frank.
“Plus alumni and friends that come to the gala and purchase items. They know it’s for scholarship endowment, and we’re most appreciative of their generosity,” Frank added. “That’s what makes it possible. We couldn’t do it without them.”
“Because it is an endowed scholarship fund,” explained Frank, “the funds available each year will vary.” The scholarship fund is based on the community’s current financial state and profit the committee has made through their events and donations from sponsors.
According to Frank, the funds available are based on the state of the economy. “There are some years we have more available to give as scholarships,” she said. The market and amount of funds they have earned “determine how many scholarships and the value of scholarships we award,” she explained.
There are no pre-determined amounts for scholarships, according to Frank. The Alumni Association Board of Directors informs Frank of the amount of funding available for scholarships, and she decides with the committee the number of scholarships that will be awarded and their values.
According to the SE Alumni Association Web site alumni.se.edu, in 1997 the Alumni Association Board of Directors established a goal of $100,000 to create a scholarship endowment. During Homecoming 2005, the $100,000 was achieved. Upon achieving this amount, the association hopes to cover the cost of books, tuition and fees for approximately 10 students each semester, according to the site.
2011 is the second year that the gala has called Choctaw Casino and Resort its premiere sponsor, according to Frank. The gala committee has the support of 18 sponsors, 11 also providing funds for homecoming events organized by the Alumni Association.
“We’re also heavily supported by medical professionals within the community,” said Frank. Those in attendance at the gala each year varies, explained Frank, with out-of-town alumni and alumni within the community. “People really seemed to have a good time,” she added.
Traditionally, the gala was held during SE’s homecoming. This is the second year the event was held in February.
According to Frank, the event had to be removed from the homecoming schedule because “so much was demanded of staff” during homecoming festivities. “It has been successful,” said Frank, since the gala has been moved to February.
The Gold and Blue Committee consists of Alumni Board members, two foundation board members, seven alumni association members and five university staff members; or according to Frank, a group of very organized people who are good at what they do. “Everybody knows their role,” said Frank. “The committee works very well doing what they do best,” she described.
Frank has been a contributor to the Gold and Blue Gala since it’s began, her responsibility mainly being the auction items in the beginning, she explained.
The first gala was held “in the late ’90s” at the Massey Building, said Frank. “We got permission to close out Second Street,” she described. “And that’s where we put the food and band.”
After “a few years” with the Bella Vista serving as the gala’s venue, the association decided to return to campus. “We were thrilled to bring it back to campus,” said Frank. “It’s the most desirable place to have our guests.”
“The main thing for me is to see the alumni reconnect and come back to campus,” said Davison. “Getting them to come back is most important. Getting to see them, that’s what I love.”