Marcia Hoebreckx, who coordinated
centennial events from the dean's
office, and Chris King.
The Centennial Celebration was a joint effort of dean's office staff working with committees of alumni, faculty, and students. As a co-chair of the student committee I worked alongside Darlene Cordova Letey, Kathryn Wahl, and Colleen Walker.
My first assignment was to plan a 2-day research fair exhibiting current College projects. I was enthusiastic about this for a couple of reasons. First, this was the perfect opportunity to highlight the fascinating research taking place here; second, it would allow me to expand my horizons as a student through networking with engineering faculty outside my field and meeting distinguished College alumni.
Interest grew as the fair approached. Many last minute changes and additions were challenging, but by kick-off day we had over a dozen display booths set up in the Engineering Center lobby. Overall, the two-day fair went smoothly. I was proud because this event, along with the other activities during the 2-day Centennial Symposium, did enlighten the public about the College's engineering successes, and the celebration of our Centennial did show that engineers can have fun!
The Centennial Celebration continued throughout spring 1994. One of the biggest highlights of this semester was the Centennial Ball, an event enjoyed by all who attended.
Planning for this event was also an adventure. Working from scratch, the student committee used our resources, principally Marcia Hoebreckx in the dean's office, for assistance in organizing this elaborate, formal, and fun event. Four hundred alumni, faculty, staff, students, and their guests came to socialize and dance at the Centennial Ball, held in the Glenn Miller Ballroom directly following the Distinguished Engineering Alumni Awards Banquet. A big band and a D. J. took requests from the young and the young at heart. The guests danced and reveled late into the night. Many praised our planning and expressed interest in making the Centennial Ball an annual event.
In retrospect, I am glad that I was asked (strongly persuaded?) by Colleen Walker to participate as co-chair for these Centennial events. I had an awesome time - in spite of the numerous restless nights worrying about planning details. Organizing and participating in Centennial events enabled me to meet new faculty, enhanced my communications and organizational skills, expanded my network with civil engineering alumni, and strengthened my friendships with the organizational team. Good job, Team!
Editor's note: Chris King is a senior majoring in architectural engineering.