LCS hosts Faculty Waits on You Dinner

The Leonard Carmichael Society (LCS) last night at 51 Winthrop St. hosted its 28th-annual Faculty Waits On You Dinner and Auction, raising roughly $3,000 for the Somerville Homeless Coalition (SHC).
LCS Co-President Zachary Michel said that all of the proceeds earned from this year's St. Patrick's Day-themed event - including entrance ticket sales at $10 each for individuals and $8 each for groups of four or eight, raffle ticket sales at $1 each, as well as money earned from the auction - will go to the SHC.
"This event is a great way for us to bring attention to their cause," Michel, a sophomore, said. "The money we raise tonight provides a substantial amount to their annual budget, so they're really relying on us to come through."
LCS only sold around 70 tickets this year, a smaller crowd than in previous years when the event had been sold out. The timing of the event probably contributed to the lower attendance, according to Michel.
"Given when this event happened, right before spring break when there's a lot going on with exams, we were very happy with the amount of people that turned out," he said.
The night kicked off with a welcome speech from LCS Co-President ShaynaSchor, a sophomore, as faculty members served hors d'oeuvres, took food orders and delivered meals to students. Executive Director of SHC Mark Alston-Follansbee thanked LCS for aiding his organization.
Following dinner, students and faculty bid on a variety of items and services that local businesses and Tufts faculty members donated to the live auction. Prizes ranged from museum and Red Sox tickets to a lunch for four with University President Anthony Monaco at the Gifford House. Assistant Professor of Music Stephan Pennington acted as auctioneer for the evening, and Michel delivered closing remarks to conclude the festivities.
Alston-Follansbee said he greatly appreciates the LCS' effort in conducting the event each year.
"I think it's another example of how Tufts creates active citizenship where you have faculty that are willing to come out and serve the students," Michel said. "It's support like this that really allows us to do our work. They did a really, really amazing job."
Kevin Hoang, the event organizer and former Co-President of LCS, said he believes that the event was a success.
"I think the auctioneer had a great time, and I think that it was a great event for both the students and the faculty," Hoang, a senior, said. "This is a unique event in which students and faculty can unite for one common goal, to raise money for the Somerville Homeless Coalition."
Tufts' Director of Community Relations Barbara Rubel, one of 10 faculty members who served as waiters for the night, said that she has volunteered at this event since its debut, when the dinner was held in the Dewick-MacPhie Dining Hall. She said she is pleased with how the event has evolved.
"As long as I'm here and as long as I can, I'll volunteer at this event," Rubel said. "It's just a lot of fun to be here. I love watching the bidding wars, and the homeless coalition needs our help."
Professor of Mathematics and Department Chair Boris Hasselblatt also enjoyed serving at the fundraiser and plans to continue to do so in the future.
"For me, it's something that's not very hard to do but clearly makes a difference," he said. "It's also just plain fun."
Joshua Malkin, a junior, attended the event for the first time last night and said he will definitely return to the fundraiser next year.
"I think it's a fun atmosphere and it's awesome that the teachers volunteered their time," Malkin said. "A lot of cool gifts were up for grabs."