The School of General Studies Annual Gala, held in Low Library Saturday night to a crowd of approximately 250, was a black-tie affair that featured dinner, dancing, and fountains of chocolate, while also honoring current and past GS students.
To a sold-out dinner, General Studies Student Council President Niko Cunningham introduced the second annual Amelia Earhart Award to GS student and University Senator Christopher Riano for his services to the school and his involvement in University politics.
“This is the best school of its kind here in the country,” Riano said upon receiving the award. “We are an amazing group of students, we have amazing talents, and we’re going to go amazing places.”
Cunningham also presented the first annual Isaac Asimov Lifetime Achievement Award to Democratic presidential hopeful Mike Gravel, a GS alum and former U.S. senator to Alaska. Gravel fondly recalled his years at GS as a student from humble backgrounds who worked as a cab driver, lived off French onion soup, and shared a graduation cap and gown with a friend to help make ends meet.
“I was honored and proud to be coming to Columbia. ... It’s one of America’s great institutions” Gravel said, later adding, “You honor me beyond belief by giving me this award.”
The annual gala serves as a rallying point for the non-traditional, and thus sometimes disparate student body, and it is described as a highlight of the senior year.
“I really enjoyed the chocolate fountain!” GS student Elena Venzin said, adding that she liked the relaxed atmosphere of this year’s dinner.
“It’s always good for each school to have something to celebrate or a reason to come together,” student Jonathon Grant said. “It’s always good to have a reason to party.”