Purdue News

August 22, 2002 Convocations celebrates 100th birthday with gala event WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue Convocations will celebrate 100 years of presenting performing arts at Purdue University with a benefit event known simply as The Gala, which will be at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14, in the Purdue Memorial Union Ballrooms. Admission to the benefit dinner and dance is $75 ($25 of which is tax-deductible). Tickets can be purchased at Purdue box offices or charged by phone at (765) 494-3933 or (800) 914-SHOW. Proceeds from The Gala will benefit the Convocations Programming Endowment. Convocations director Todd Wetzel said he is excited about the evening. "Many people have enjoyed our annual 'Party of the Season' event over the years," Wetzel said. "Well, this event is going to be the party of the century and promises to be remembered for many years to come." Indiana's First Lady Judy O'Bannon, Purdue President Martin C. Jischke and his wife, Patty, are all serving as honorary co-chairs of the event. The evening will include a cocktail reception, gourmet dinner, dancing, entertainment, and silent and live auctions. Attendees also will see the debut of a new history of the department, written especially for the Convocations centennial by longtime associate director Don Seybold. Items to be auctioned will include original artwork and apparel, handcrafted jewelry, a valuable oriental rug, a one-week stay at a home in the south of France and much more. Like The Gala itself, proceeds from the auctions will benefit the Convocations Programming Endowment. "The Endowment is a vital component to our success," Wetzel said. "It gives us the freedom to bring a wider range of performing arts to campus. Without it, we would only be able to present those events which are guaranteed to make money." Headlining the evening's entertainment will be Avner the Eccentric, a comic mime and clown who has been a favorite of audiences in previous campus performances. Later in the evening, partygoers will be able to dance to music of the Endless Summer Band. Questions about The Gala may be directed to the Convocations office at (765) 494-9712. CONTACT: Larry Sommers, Purdue Convocations, (765) 494-5045, lsommers@purdue.edu. Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu To the Purdue News and Photos Page