Metro State rolled out the red carpet for a who's who of College supporters attending this year's Plain & Fancy Ball, each sporting unique fashions at the event held only once every five years. But everyone wore one thing in common, a bow tie designed by '81 art alumnus Malcolm Farley.

The Sept. 25 event brought in more than $85,000 in donated items for the auction, sold more than 750 tickets and raised more than $100,000 for scholarships and student programs. Of that, "Our 14 campus partners raised more than $20,000," says Associate Vice President of Development and Alumni Relations Cherrelyn Napue, of the internal fundraising component initiated by Ruth Jordan, wife of President Stephen Jordan.

President Stephen Jordan and Mrs. Ruth Jordan addressed a who’s who of Metro State supporters at the Plain & Fancy Ball.

It was an important way for everyone to be involved, says Jordan, who co-chaired the event with the president. "I'm impressed by everyone. They stepped up to make it a great event. It was a lot of hard work and it was a fantastic time."

The evening, which kicked off with a silent auction with games and live music, also featured "Auction Diva" Shelly St. John, who worked in concert with Rowdy and Metro State cheerleaders to amp up the dinner crowd and their giving during the live auction. A key item that sold for $2,500 was an "Evening of Food, Wine and Jazz: Metro State Style," donated by Assistant Professor of Music Ron Miles and members of the Hospitality, Tourism and Events Department, including Director of Culinary Arts Shelly Owens and Affiliate Faculty member Cindy OnkenGlimm.

To help the audience understand the potential impact of their donations, several beneficiaries of Metro State scholarships shared their testimonials, including senior Jeremy Casey, who is targeting medical school; senior Felipe Mosqueda, the winner of the 2009 Apprentice Challenge @ Metro State; and sophomore Mahdyeh Nowkhandan, who says by attending college she is setting an example for her younger brother.

Rowdy and Metro State cheerleaders cheer on the crowd during the live auction.

Those who have lived the impact of a Metro State education also attended the one-of-a-kind affair. Hazel Whitsett, '74, says a certificate in community service development in the early 1980s "gave me the skills to run a nonprofit. You are never too old to go back to school," says Whitsett, who co-founded the Northeast Women's Center in 1983 and continues as its director today.

Driving home the need for ongoing support, Foundation Board Chair Jon Robinson, a 1990 accounting alumnus, said these "events are even more important with budget cuts. We need to start raising our own funds. I ask you to re-engage with the College if you have not already."

The Plain & Fancy People of the Year
Special video presentations highlighted the Plain & Fancy People of the Year honorees: Pat Cortez, senior vice president, Wells Fargo Bank; Terrance Carroll, Speaker of the House, Colorado State Legislature; Leo Kiely, CEO, MillerCoors; Adele Phelan, president emeritus, The Clayton Foundation; and Ray Sutton, Jr., managing partner, Baker Hostetler.

Also during the evening, Carrie Besnette Hauser, vice president for institutional advancement and executive director of its foundation, introduced a video tribute to the late Harry Gianneschi, whose family was in attendance. Gianneschi, who passed away in 2009, was the first vice president of institutional advancement and the founder of the Plain & Fancy Ball.

Napue says his legacy lives on through the ball. "The college-wide effort and goodwill of the evening will have a long-lasting impact for us. People had fun -- down to the build-your-own gourmet s'mores -- and are still talking about Metro State," she says.

To view images of the evening, view slide show.