The theme, Denim ‘N Diamonds, urges those attending to replace their formal attire with casual denim pieces and diamond accessories.
“We want people to relax and connect with each other,” said Ken Owens, event committee chairperson. “If you take away some of the formality, it creates an inspired environment and lets guests have fun and hopefully encourage generous donations.”
Although the event will function to celebrate the college’s anniversary, it will also focus on students with many of the night’s activities geared toward fundraising.
“We want to create an operating scholarship as a result of the gala,” said Dayle Joseph, dean of URI’s College of Nursing. “I have students with all sorts of need coming in throughout the year, but don’t have unrestricted funding to help them. I would like to have this fund to provide students with the money in order to buy essentials for the program.”
The gala’s events will include local musical acts, photo booths, and a silent auction. Auction items include lunch with Congressman David Ciccilline, an 18-inch strand of Akoya pearls donated by Gold Lady of Wickford, four tickets to a luxury box at Fenway Park for a Red Sox home game as well as other various items ranging in price.
“This is a function where we want to build a community of alumni, get classes of students to come back to attend events and build bonds within the URI community and among other nursing professionals,” said Joseph.
The anniversary celebration will be held at the Marriott of Newport from 6 to 11 p.m., March 19. Tickets are $100 per person. For ticket information about other event details, please contact Michaela Mooney at 401-874-5302 or Michaela@uri.edu.
This release was written by Alicia Blain, an intern in URI’s Department of Communications and Marketing and a public relations major.