The Johnson School Gives Back
Nkeruka Okonmah, MBA '08
Issue date: 4/30/07 Section: Johnson News
The 7th Annual Johnson Charity Auction, held on March 28th, was a rousing success. Students, faculty and staff from around the university helped raise a total of $13,606.25 for charity. The auction consisted of both a silent component, which ran for one hour, and a live component, which in historical fashion remained an entertaining event.
This year's silent auction included a variety of items, ranging from salsa and piano lessons to soul food dinners and Sunday brunches. Dean Cathy Dove noted the talent in the student body, "I'm amazed at what people can do." First year Shahnaz Shushtari even secured an official, autographed, and framed Roni Michaely "Efficient Set" transparency.
However, the real excitement lay in the auctioning of the live options. First year Mike Jaffre and second year Thomas Stebbins kicked off the live auction with a surprise item. Pamela Swieringa knitted a quilt pattered after the tile in Sage Hall's Dyson Atrium. After a short bidding war, the quilt went for $150 to one of the event organizers, first year Julie Huang.
Some of the other live options included a 70's or 80's party DJ-ed by Professor Ori Heffetz, happy hour with the MLO professors, and a multi-course dinner and wine tasting at the home of Associate Dean Joe Thomas. With a starting bid of $1200, Dean Thomas's dinner has become something of legend. Thomas said that he and his wife "like having students over and knowing that a big donation will be made to the community fund." The winning bid of $2800 came from second year Emanuel Naim and friends who will be going out in style.
While not everyone at the auction was able to make a financial contribution -"It sucks to be poor" noted one Johnson school student -several students contributed in other ways. The time, talents, and money donated by auction participants will benefit the American Red Cross of Tompkins County Homeless Initiative, which is a middle school/high school with approximately 260 students in need of funding for equipment and curriculum for a physical education program. Funds will also provide a Nonprofit Internship Stipend to one MBA student working in the nonprofit or public sector this summer. Moreover, the donations will provide full tuition for one local female student to attend the Johnson School's Camp $tartup.
This year's silent auction included a variety of items, ranging from salsa and piano lessons to soul food dinners and Sunday brunches. Dean Cathy Dove noted the talent in the student body, "I'm amazed at what people can do." First year Shahnaz Shushtari even secured an official, autographed, and framed Roni Michaely "Efficient Set" transparency.
However, the real excitement lay in the auctioning of the live options. First year Mike Jaffre and second year Thomas Stebbins kicked off the live auction with a surprise item. Pamela Swieringa knitted a quilt pattered after the tile in Sage Hall's Dyson Atrium. After a short bidding war, the quilt went for $150 to one of the event organizers, first year Julie Huang.
Some of the other live options included a 70's or 80's party DJ-ed by Professor Ori Heffetz, happy hour with the MLO professors, and a multi-course dinner and wine tasting at the home of Associate Dean Joe Thomas. With a starting bid of $1200, Dean Thomas's dinner has become something of legend. Thomas said that he and his wife "like having students over and knowing that a big donation will be made to the community fund." The winning bid of $2800 came from second year Emanuel Naim and friends who will be going out in style.
While not everyone at the auction was able to make a financial contribution -"It sucks to be poor" noted one Johnson school student -several students contributed in other ways. The time, talents, and money donated by auction participants will benefit the American Red Cross of Tompkins County Homeless Initiative, which is a middle school/high school with approximately 260 students in need of funding for equipment and curriculum for a physical education program. Funds will also provide a Nonprofit Internship Stipend to one MBA student working in the nonprofit or public sector this summer. Moreover, the donations will provide full tuition for one local female student to attend the Johnson School's Camp $tartup.
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