The Hall of Achievement Dinner and Awards Ceremony

November 13, 2009 - 10:30 PM

Tonight, I was granted attendance to the annual Hall of Achievement Dinner and Awards Ceremony for the School of Journalism and Communication at the University of Oregon.

In the spring, the school told me that I was the recipient of a Hall of Achievement Scholarship, and thus, was invited to attend the dinner.

It was a beautiful gathering at the Eugene Country Club, where I had never been before, and people were all well-dressed and politely made conversation before the meal and ceremony began. As we chatted, waiters with trays topped with delectable appetizers waded through the packed room, and I made sure not to miss them.

One of the hors d'ouvres was a goat-cheese crisp with deeply caramelized onions on top. I never pass up an opportunity to eat fried cheese-even at nice evening events.

Once the dinner began, I found my business dinner etiquette that I learned last year at the complimentary dinner put on by the Career Center to teach students how to eat and impress came in handy.

I sat at a table filled with important figures in the journalism school and other scholarship recipients. We had a delightful conversation and laughed together throughout the night.

A film was played that included clips of many of the students who received awards this year-all thanking their generous donors.

At the end of the night, my carpool drove back to campus feeling honored to have been included in such a prestigious evening and tradition of the school of journalism. It is nice to know that the university honors the students who strive for academic success.