Scholars raise more than $1500 for breast cancer research
10/31/2008
Pink turned out to be the color of money Wednesday night (October 29) during the Schreyer Honors College's third annual Date Auction, which benefited breast cancer research.
Sponsored by the Schreyer Honors College Student Council, the event raised more than $1,500 for the American Cancer Society as 42 Schreyer Scholars and a few special guests put themselves on the auction block.
"The Date Auction is becoming a tradition in the Honors College because it's a really great time, it brings the community together, it's for a good cause, and everyone has so much fun participating and coming to watch," said Jared McKnight, a third-year Scholar from Pittsburgh who co-chaired the event.
Among the dates up for bid were lunch with the dean of the Schreyer Honors College, Dr. Christian M. M. Brady, and dates with the Nittany Lion, the Penn State mascot, and Matt Sabo, the Penn State Blue Band's drum major.
Scholars being auctioned off dressed in pink, were introduced through some tongue-in-cheek bios spoofing their academic majors or accomplishments, and carried long-stemmed pink roses to present to each winning bidder.
"I think it's the enthusiasm everyone has that makes this one of our most popular events," Jared said. "People are coming out to witness one of the funniest events we sponsor because of the bios and the costumes. It's just a great way to have a good time for a great cause."
For Wil Santivasi, a second-year Scholar from Broomall who put himself up for bid this year, the cause is personal. His grandmother died after a fight against breast cancer.
"I think it's possibly the best cause there is so anything I can do to support that is worth it," said Wil, whose friends pooled together $75 as the winning bid for his date. "Everybody just gets a little crazy, and we have a good time with it."
Wil also bought two dates--a double date with two Scholars who paraded as CBS news anchor Katie Couric and GOP vice-presidential nominee Gov. Sarah Palin and one with a first-year Scholar.
About 150 students attended the event.
For more information about the Schreyer Honors College, contact scholars@psu.edu or visit us online at shc.psu.edu.
