By: Joshua Robles, A&E Editor
With another school year comes another Party on the Plaza. Newman’s big fundraising event will start at 4:30 p.m. Saturday with an optional mass in St. John’s Chapel. It will be followed by games and activities starting at 5:30 p.m. on Founders Plaza with a dinner and live auction later in the night.
An individual ticket is $120, but students can get involved even if they can’t afford that ticket price. Student volunteers are able to still enjoy some of the games, activities and food.
The theme of the event is once again Return to the Renaissance. Next year though, Laura Hartley, director of annual giving, said the theme will change.
Though the theme and some of the events might be the same as last year, there is one new attraction: a catapult. Hartley said that organizers plan to launch stuff out of the catapult but have not decided what just yet.
Party on the Plaza raises money for Newman’s scholarships and helps students be able to afford college.
“Over 90 percent of our students receive institutional aid, and Party on the Plaza helps us raise the dollars to make that possible,” Hartley said.
Hartley said what she enjoys the most about the event is seeing people come together to help raise money for students. She also says she is thankful for all who contribute, from the volunteers to the sports teams who help set up and clean up at the end of the night.
“It really just shows the quality of students we have here with their willingness to help. We really just truly appreciate any student that's willing to come out and help,” Hartley said.
There are four spots left for student volunteers, who would serve dinner from 5 to 9:30 p.m. To learn more about it, contact Abbi Timmermeyer in Institutional Advancement at timmermeyera@newmanu.edu
PHOTO: Courtesy photo, University Relations
