Toomre leads revival of Commemoration Ball

This past Monday saw the revival of the Hopkins Commemoration Ball. The event, which hasn’t taken place since 2001, commemorates the school’s founding and the swearing in of the University’s first president, Daniel Coit Gilman.

The Hopkins Student Government Association (SGA), the Office of Student Life, the Hopkins Alumni Association and the Hopkins Parent fund all contributed to the event.

The student in charge of the event, sophomore and SGA Executive Secretary Kyra Toomre, was pleased with how the ball turned out.

“It’s the rebirth of an old university tradition. It’s a chance for members throughout the Johns Hopkins community, be it undergraduates, graduates, administrators or alumni to come together and celebrate the university that we are all so lucky to be a part of,” Toomre said in a speech given at the event.

Following her speech, Associate Dean of Student Programming Tiffany Sanchez gave a few remarks, thanking Director of Student Activities Rob Turning and Coordinator of Campus Programs Janet Kirsch as well as announcing the winners of the raffle held at the event. Winners of the raffle received a variety of Hopkins-related merchandise and gear.

In an interview with The News-Letter later that evening, Toomre discussed what went into coordinating the event and her future hopes for the Commemoration Ball at Hopkins.

“I went to Dean [of Student Life] Boswell and Vice Provost [of Student Affairs] Shollenberger with this idea last year, and together with Janice Bonsu we made it blossom into what it is tonight,” Toomre said.

Toomre was pleased with the evening.

“Everyone seems to be enjoying the event so we are really happy with it. The event really wouldn’t have been possible without the development and Alumni Relations and Dean Boswell, along with Student Government. They provided the funding for this. Tickets were extremely cheap compared to what the actual event was, and they listened to our idea and allowed us to run with it,” she said.

Toomre was also emphatic that the Commemoration Ball would take place again next year.

The event was held at the Engineers Club in Mount Vernon. The establishment itself is a famous Baltimore historical site — the Garret-Jacobs Mansion. The venue sported several large halls and a dance floor. Hot hors d’œuvres and drinks, including a bar for attendees over 21, were provided, as well as desserts at the end of the evening.

“I thought it was great. I mean, I’m not on SGA anymore so it was different for me being an actual attendee rather than someone who was putting it together, but I really enjoyed it. I’m amazed by the turn out, seeing as this is an event that is historical, but hasn’t happened very often in the past few decades even,” former Sophomore Class President Alex Koren said.

In a follow up email to The News-Letter, Toomre stated that ticket sales for the event were just shy of 400.

“Many people who are not part of greek life do not normally have a chance to participate in formal dance like events so it was great to see so many people from all different circles of the undergraduate population out,” Toomre added.