Nearly 400 students, faculty and staff descended on Mile High Station last Thursday night for the third annual Crimson and Gold Global Gala, an event hosted by the Study Abroad Program to celebrate the experiences of students who studied abroad in the prior year.
Reed Beall, study abroad coordinator, called the party a “celebration of internationalization.”
The downtown event is one of the best-attended off-campus gatherings of DU students.
“It’s a fun event to go to in the middle of the week,” said Ilana Cohen, a sophomore studying sociology. “It’s fun to dress up.”
Cocktail dresses, high-heels and ties could be seen throughout the two-story Station, as attendees surveyed international entertainment and sampled internationally-themed food catered by Three Tomatoes. Over-21s also got to enjoy drinks from the venue’s open bar.
“It’s a great place. It’s a good opportunity to come and enjoy good food,” said Digital Media Studies senior Tommy Nagel, who just returned from studying in Florence, Italy.
Baobao Festival, Bella Diva, DU Tango Club and Mirai Daiko were the evening’s performers.
In between entertainment sets, winners from the study abroad photo contest were announced from five categories. Janna Taylor won for Cultural Interactions, Lian Duan for Places, Grace Carpenter for DU Students Abroad, Adrielle Knight for Food, Flora and Fauna, and Joey Haas for People.
The Global Gala was the brainchild of Kerrie Rueda and Carl Johnson, assistant director and director of campus activities, respectively.
Rueda knows first-hand the challenges and rewards of studying abroad.
As an undergrad at the University of Florida, and later during her graduate program, she spent time as a student in Italy.
“I came home from my first summer in Italy feeling like I was better able to handle new and challenging situations and also with a better ability to interact with people whose worldviews were different from mine,” Rueda said. “Overall, the experience opened my eyes to new ways of thinking and being part of a global community.”
Rueda’s own personal experience as a study abroad student motivated her to develop an event that gave DU students a chance to share their experiences with people who were interested in hearing about it.
“I’m passionate about international education and people having a chance to tell their stories,” Rueda said above the din of guests at the Gala. And in reference to the event, Rueda’s enthusiasm and passion could be sensed.”It’s a celebration,” she said.
Mirai Daiko, a professional Japanese drum ensemble, closed out the evening’s entertainment, and as the event wound down and attendees lined up to retrieve their coats and head out, it would appear by the faces and reactions of the guests that the evening was a success.
“Any time we can get a few hundred students, faculty and staff together for good food, entertainment and sharing of experiences,” Rueda said over email the next day, “I would consider it a success for DU.”
And next year? Rueda’s already on it.
“I look forward to planning the 4th Annual Crimson & Gold Global Gala and making it even bigger and better.”
