By
Irene Hsiao
Arizona Daily Wildcat
UA campus rolls out red carpet for past and potential
While many UA students left campus for the weekend, the surrounding grassy areas along the circle drive in front of Old Main were transformed into a ritzy affair with celebrities, fine dinning and fireworks Friday evening.
In celebration of Campaign Arizona's kick off, the largest private fund-raiser in University of Arizona history the evening opened with a gala in front of Arizona State Museum before the dinner reception on the west end of the Old Main fountain.
The guests - mostly benefactors, alumni and faculty - meandered around the museum lawn looking at displays of the accomplishments from university's colleges and departments which were mixed in with the circular tables covered in black cloth.
While the guests ate and chatted, actor and UA alumnus Craig T. Nelson emceed the event. Students paraded around the grassy areas with flags representing all the countries UA students are from, each college and some students organizations. UA President Peter Likins, Gov. Jane Hull spoke in between about 13 UA musical and dance groups' performances. Gary Shandling, actor, comedian and UA graduate cracked jokes with the audience.
"I'm a Jewish man, and I grew up in Tucson and you think that was easy?" Shandling asked the audience.
"This is not a party, it's to inspire people to dedicate themselves to the university," Likins said before the ceremonies began. "I'm just amazed, all day long its just exceeded expectations."
Video clips of UA history were also displayed on two large screens.
The College of Architecture, Planning and Landscape Architecture had several of their community projects on display.
"I think this university needs a lot of resources and I'm no expert, but this seems to be way the way to get resources," said Corky Poster, an associate architecture professor and director of community planning and design workshop.
Two trams provided transportation from the Tyndall Avenue Garage to the gate at East University Boulevard and North Park Avenue for the approximately 720 guests attending the festivities. Student volunteers also gave rides in golf carts from the gate to Old Main if guests didn't want to walk.
Catering services were sandwiched between the Economics and Communication buildings dishing out filet of beef with mushroom sauce for the dinner reception.
With the scent of lilies in the air and lighted pillars surrounding the dinner, some student volunteers said their expectations were greater than the event.
"I think there is some disappointment because we thought there would be more interaction," Karleen Jones, a Spanish and political science senior. Volunteers ate their brown-bag dinners outside of the ceremonies.
Rays of magentas, blues, greens and yellows illuminated Centennial Hall, Douglass, Communication, Economics and Social Sciences buildings throughout the night. Fireworks blossomed twice during the evening and ended the show with a three minute streak of explosions that were shot off from the UA Mall.
