Presidents’ Ball is an annual celebration held for Grand Valley State University students, faculty and community members who contribute to it. The Presidents’ Ball will be held on Feb. 6, with a cocktail hour beginning at 5:30 p.m. and dinner starting at 6:15 p.m. Dancing runs from 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.

Student Senate has been working with the Laker Traditions Team to put the event together since May.

Emma Moulton, the event coordinator and executive vice president of Student Senate, said this year’s theme is Grand Gatsby. Participants are encouraged to dress for the era, but it isn’t necessary.

“The theme is kind of a 1920s take with feathers, black and gold, very grand,” said LeaAnn Tibbe of the Office of Student Life. “It takes a lot of people to pull it all together, and we have a lot of student volunteers.”

At the award ceremony, three individuals will receive recognition. This year, the Laker of the Year award will go to Deb Rambadt, the marketing manager at campus dining.

“Laker of the Year is a significant honor,” Rambadt said. “It’s quite humbling when I consider the level of commitment I see from students, faculty, staff and administrators. This award is a reflection on the entire campus dining team and the work my colleagues do to support my interactions with the campus community.”

The Student Award for Faculty Excellence will recognize David Eick, a professor of modern languages and literature. Moulton said this award is for, “a faculty member students feel goes above and beyond to help their students.” The final award, the President’s Appreciation award, will be presented to George Heartwell, mayor of Grand Rapids.

After dinner, two different areas to dance are available. One will have a live DJ while the other will have a jazz band where the GVSU swing dancing club will give dancing tips. As in the past, the dancing portion of the evening is when most of the crowd arrives to the event. Last year, attendance clocked in between 4,000 and 5,000, Moulton said.

Other features of the ball include a candy bar and a photo booth where attendees can get their pictures taken with their friends.

While tickets will be available until the day of the event, there are a limited number of them for both dinner and dancing.

Tickets are available at the 2020 information desk in the Kirkhof Center and are $15 for dancing and $30 for dinner and dancing. Transportation to the event will be provided from both the Allendale and Pew campuses.

For more information, visit
www.gvsu.edu/presidentsball/.

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