Homecoming Gala raises money for College of Business

The Gala on the Bluff, October 5, 2007 was a night of extravagance, excitement and entertainment in support of the Southern University College of Business that raised an estimated gross of $125,000, according to College of Business Dean, Donald Andrews.
Years ago, Councilmen Louis Henery witnessed a successful gala in Memphis, Tenn.
He took the information presented to him about the event and insisted the advisory council for the College of Business incorporate the idea in their own fund raising techniques.
The Southern University Gala on the Bluff is designed to strengthen the relationship between Southern University’s College of Business and the community. Also, the gala is used to assist in fundraising for scholarships.
The Sheraton of Baton Rouge Convention Center Hotel and Argosy Casino accommodated this year’s sold out venue. Guests were greeted by events’ coordinators Agnes Andrews, Donald Andrews and Toni Jackson, whom all have been apart of the event since its inception five years ago. Live music was performed through out the night.
Andrews, local businesswoman and wife of Donald Andrews, donated much of her time and many items to the silent auction. She is a 1973 graduate of Southern and has been involved with the college of business for the past 12 years.
“It is important to be educated and education costs money,” she said about donating to a worthy cause. “I’m just trying to give back.”
Andrews also passionately wanted to thank the sponsors, contributors, and volunteers for the event. She stated that she is already looking forward to next year’s event in hopes of making it “bigger and better.”
“The Gala is an opportunity to show support and assist in funding for higher education,” said Andrews, who is in his 10th year as the Dean of the College of Business. “It (the Gala) gives students the opportunity to receive a quality education that has an AACSB international accreditation.”
Jackson was pleased in saying that, “The Gala has continued to grow over the past five years and a larger venue is needed to accommodate the 100-200 additional persons in attendance at the event.”
Henery, the Gala’s founder and president of several McDonald’s restaurants throughout the nation was in attendance of the gala. Baton Rouge Mayor-President Kip Holden also attended the event.
Vice President of the College of Business Advisory Council, motivational speaker and Author of “Change Your Attitude Change Your Life,” Dennis S. Brown, was also in attendance at the event.
“Southern University needed another source of revenue to help fund education,” said Brown. “Instead of traditional approaches, Southern decided to put on something extravagant, entertaining, yet affordable for everybody to come out and have a good time.
In addition to scholarship support, students who receive additional funds don’t forget where they come from and will give back in the future.”
Ticket sales and a silent auction were the main fund raising techniques used in this event. Items bided for the silent auction included: antique jewelry, SU apparel and emblems, gift certificates, hotel accommodations, autographed memorabilia and electronics.
Major contributors for the event included: The Shaw Group, General Motors Corporation, Allstate Insurance, State Farm Insurance, Agnes Andrews Insurance, Exxon Mobil, Chase Bank, Argosy Casino, International Paper, Our Lady of the Lake Health Systems and AARP Louisiana.
Other contributors included: Southern/ Teachers Federal Credit Union, TJ Ribs, Discrete Limousine services, Mockler Beverage, The Hilton Hotel of Baton Rouge, Bourgee’ clothing company, The IHOP Restaurant of Baton Rouge, Rhodes Funeral Home, Baton Rouge General Hospital, Ochsner Hospital, Gulf stream Aerospace Corporation, Merrill Lynch, Remax de la Louizianne, Pamela Patton and the Southern University athletics coaching staffs.
Volunteers for the event included Terrye Braden, Pamela Patton, Felicia Formar, Joan Nyguyen, Consuala Daigler, Chad Roberson, Chesea and Chased Virgil, Marquita Brooks, LaJuna Scott, Howard Jones, Micheal Green and Brittney Carter.
Special thanks were given to Sashika of Max 94.1 FM, basketball superstar Shaquille O’Neal, Mayo Brew and Miles Photography.
Playback for the entire event will be telecasted on Channel 19 – Metro 21, provided by Brian Hertzock Entertainment.