by The Cowl Editor on January 19, 2017
News
By Sabrina Guilbeault ’18
Assit. News Editor
Picture this: a night in Peterson like students have never seen it before, featuring live music and gourmet food, where all four grades, robed in dressy cocktail dresses and dark suits, will come together for an evening commemorating Providence College’s 100th Birthday.
The Black and White Ball, being advertised as an event that will “honor the past and celebrate the future,” is set to take place on Friday, February 17. Tickets officially go on sale at the Slavin Info Desk on Tuesday, January 24, and as they will only be on sale for two weeks, students are encouraged not to delay in purchasing their tickets.
Late last year, Steven Sears, dean of students, approached the incoming BOP executive board to coordinate a major student event to commemorate the Centennial Anniversary of the school. Although many events were scheduled for the College’s Centennial Celebration, there was a clear need for an event planned exclusively for students.
BOP, with its ability to capitalize on its network and with its event planning expertise, was able to facilitate the planning, but also included a group of student leaders from a variety of student organizations to plan the event. “Our goal is to make everyone feel special as a student enrolled during the Centennial Year,” said Daniel Pupke ’17, vice president of the Board of Programmers, who is heavily involved in the planning of the event.
“It is an event that you, as a guest, will remember for the rest of your life, and one that you will regret missing if you cannot attend,” he stated.
According to Pupke, student leaders from Campus Ministry, Student Congress, and the Board of Multicultural Student Affairs were involved in organizing the many elements of the ball including the décor, catering, live music and DJ, and operation of ticket sales. Sharon Hay, director of student activities, as well as the Dean of Students, also provided her support and vision.
“My role was to work with the finances to make sure everything is bought and paid for,” said Sean Lawler ’17, executive treasurer of Student Congress. Lawler explained he worked close with the treasurer of BOP. “I am blessed to be here for PC’s 100th year, and being able to represent Congress in planning for the ball makes the blessing even greater.”
“The Centennial Committee has also played a crucial part in realizing our vision and we cannot thank them enough,” said Pupke.
One aspect of the ball that students can look forward to is the cocktail hour, which will commence at 7:30 p.m. This hour will feature a live band as well as a variety of gourmet appetizer stations.
“During that time, we will have raffles with proceeds benefitting the Providence College Angel Fund,” said Pupke. The Angel Fund is an ongoing source of financial support to current students of families with extraordinary financial challenges so that they can continue their studies at the College.
Dancing will begin at 8:45 p.m., where a giant dance floor and a “monumental ceiling treatment” will be installed so that Peterson can be transformed into the “Centennial Ballroom.”
Students can also expect to see a red carpet installed and many other transformations to the rec center. On both sides of the dance floor, students will find a lounge for students 21 and over that will serve beer, wine, and a Centennial Cocktail.
The event will allow students from all across campus to come together to celebrate the College’s anniversary, which officially falls on Tuesday, February 14.
As an event tailored exclusively to the students, it was important to those planning the event to involve a variety of students in the planning process. “It was important from the beginning that the planning of the event did not fall exclusively with BOP, but rather a group of student leaders from different organizations,” said Pupke.