University of North Alabama - Diorama Yearbook (Florence, AL)

Page 24 text:

Freshmen attending Summer Orientation and Advanced Registration spend two days learning) the ways of colkf e life and Rndin eir Wav cAroimd. What am I getting myself into? Like approximately 800 other incom- ing freshmen, Jeff Harmon of Savan- nah, Tenn.. asked himself this ques- tion while on his way to campus last summer for SOAR (Summer Orienta- tion and Advanced Registration). In its ninth year, the nationally recognized SOAR pr ogram is respon- sible for helping incoming freshmen make the transition from high school to college life. The schedule for each two-day session includes discussion groups and student-to-student interviews which helps to ease some students ' confused minds. I was scared and sometimes I felt so dumb, but SOAR helped me realize that the people here were nice and willing to help me because they had been through it before, said Marcia Jones of Florence, a member of the SOAR ' 83 group. Several mini-tours took students to buildings they would PULLI.NC, CARDS for fall classes, Shari Master- son helps Amy Hall with her schedule. Registra- tion is completed for all SOAR students during their stay on campus. (Photo by Patrick Hood) DISCUSSING CAMPUS LIFE. Keith Shields counsels Deidre Wilson, Larry Whitten, and Ta- mara Linville. SOAR counselors led incoming freshmen on a discovery of the university. (Photo by Patrick Hood) soon be all too familiar with. The second day was filled with more tours, interviews, and a lun- cheon with the faculty. Finally, the eight counselors assisted the students in planning their fall schedules. On a lighter note, students played mixer games in Flowers Hall and got acquainted with each other during their free time. The highlight of the evening was the SOAR cabaret dinner and dance, held in the Great Hall. Jeff Harmon said, After meeting people and finding out everyone on campus was so nice, I knew UNA would be a great place to attend. — Debbie Myrick SOAR COUNSELORS — Keith Shields, Adina Stone, Craig Tankersley, Kathy Parker, Kaye Benson, Angle Hilton, Mike Stutts and Derrick Morgan. (Photo by John Graham)

Page 23 text:

Thx)ject Qourtview was the primary beneficiary, and Quests at the Gatsby Celebration were HaVink a all. KICKING UP their heels, Ginger and Alan Tom- linson dance a mean Charleston at the July Gatsby Ball. The Tomlinsons took first place honors in the dance contest. (Photo by Lee Puck- ett) lay Gatsby would have felt quite at home. Latter-day flappers and their es- corts were given the chance to Charles- ton to their hearts ' content one night last |uly when Benefit Ball, Inc. brought the pages of an F. Scott Fitzger- ald novel to life at the Great Gatsby Ball. All proceeds from the event were donated to Project Courtview, the ren- ovation of Rogers Hall on the universi- ty campus. Held on the lovely grounds of Tate Springs in Florence, the ball was at- tended by approximately 400 persons who purchased a $25.00 minimum do- nation ticket in exchange for a little bit of fantasy from the 1920 ' s. The guise under which the fantasy became real — Benefit Ball, Inc. — is the result of the combined efforts of ten concerned persons who met at UNA last spring with the idea of planning a fund-raising event for Project Court- view. Earlier in the year, it had been an- nounced by university officials that Rogers Hall, which is listed on the reg- ister of historic places in Alabama, would not receive a $75,000 matching grant applied for from the Alabama Historical commission. Officials had hoped to apply the additional $75,000 to a $75,000 fund existing from pre- vious Project Courtview benefits and start major renovation on the building. The group met every Wednesday night at 6:00 for three months until plans for a Gatsby Ball were finalized. According to the group ' s chairman. Butch Marlar, it was Nancy Trow- bridge, administrative assistant to uni- versity president Dr. Robert Guillot, who originated the idea for the 1920 ' s theme. I give Nancy credit for the idea, but the hard work involved in making the idea real is shared by doz- ens of others, Marlar said. The goal set by the group was simply to raise as much money as pos- sible, Marlar said. He added that as the first endeavor of Benefit Ball, Inc., the Gatsby party was most of all a valu- able learning experience. Marlar emphasized that no money from previous Project Courtview earn- ings was used for the ball ' s expenses. but instead came from the pockets of each charter member of Benefit Ball, Inc. We bought our tickets early, he said. All of the hard work culminated in a night of 1920 ' s splendor. The grounds of Tate Springs were transformed into an authentic picture from history books. White tables dotted the estate ' s rolling green lawns. Mirrors placed un- derneath the centerpieces on the table reflected the goldfish swimming in the vases filled with brightly colored flow- ers. Backswing, a Memphis-based band, recreated a 1920 ' s hit parade and the dance floor was never empty as en- thusiastic guests danced the night away to such tunes as Little Brown Jug and Misty. Cigarette girls mean- dering from table to table provided just one more bit of authenticity. Tents set up around the grounds provided tables filled with food and liquid refresh- ments for the guests. Judges strolled the grounds as the colorfully costumed guests arrived and later in the evening, after a difficult de- cision, announced the best dressed male and female guests present. Mary Martin Nordness carried away first prize in the ladies division in her white and turquoise flapper cos- tume complete with braid and feathers. In the gentlemen ' s category. Butch Marlar, wearing white knee pants, a navy jacket, plaid vest and golf cap, was chosen best dressed. At 10:15 in the evening a dance contest highlighted the festivities. En- trants wearing large numbers across their chests danced until tapped by a judge which indicated their elimina- tion from the contest. After several minutes only two couples remained. Penny and A.E. Joiner were eliminated, leaving Alan and Ginger Tomlinson to accept the grand prize. According to Bess Cox, a charter member of Benefit Ball, Inc., the pur- pose of the organization is to enhance the social and civic mindedness of the Shoals area. The group plans to make the summer ball an annual event bene- fitting a different charity each year. — Donna Bryant student Life 21

Page 25 text:

INCOMING FRESHMEN get an official welcome from Dr. Robert Guillot during SOAR activities. On their tour of campus the SOARees left Leo ' s cage and walked to the president ' s office in Bibb Graves Hall. (Photo by Patrick Hood) HEAD OF THE MUSIC DEPARTMENT, Dr. James Simpson has lunch with potential music majors during SOAR. A luncheon with the faculty is a part of every SOAR session. (Photo by Patrick Hood) student Life 23