On Tuesday, April 9th, Marian University held its first annual Senior Stars Etiquette Dinner at the historic Allison Mansion. This exclusive event, open to the graduating class of 2024 (May, August, and December), aimed to provide a unique experience combining fine dining with professional etiquette instruction.
Over sixty graduating seniors, dressed in their finest red carpet, Hollywood glam, and business professional attire, gathered for the evening. The program began with a delicious three-course meal, offering attendees a chance to socialize and network. Throughout the meal, there was an educational aspect of the event. An expert in dining etiquette, Rachel Yockey ’03 from Marian’s Alumni Office, guided the seniors through the intricacies of multi-course meals, including proper silverware placement, napkin etiquette, and other essential table manners.
More than just mastering table manners, the Senior Stars Dinner served as a celebratory occasion. The atmosphere buzzed with excitement and achievement as the graduating class came together on the cusp of their next chapter. “It is very rare for our whole class to be gathered in one place before graduation. It is so rewarding to see everyone here celebrating our achievements.” said senior exercise science major Brianna Whitehead.
The event was hosted by the Marian University Exchange. “We had done this event pre-Covid for Business students in Alumni Hall once per year. Our office wanted to be inclusive of all majors across campus, as this is important professional knowledge for all (and a great experience!). The Exchange has moved from offering events at random times/days to working strategically with faculty and staff across campus to host events within students’ daily routine schedule. Our employer partners and students get the most out of our events when they are held during class time. This event was not part of a class requirement, so we were unsure how it would turn out and decided that the best population to target would be our graduates. The event was sponsored by Equitable Advisors and attended by board members as well as members of the Marian administration. We plan to continue the event each April and welcome additional employer sponsors.” said Brandy Bast, the Director of Workforce Development.
The dinner received positive feedback from attendees. The event successfully equipped graduating seniors with valuable dining etiquette skills while fostering a sense of community and pride within the class. With its focus on education, celebration, and creating lasting memories, the Senior Stars Dinner has the potential to become a cherished tradition at Marian University.
