An Appreciation for black excellence

By: Jordan Lozama |ljord96@vt.edu |703-606-0126

Blacksburg,Va- The Black Student Alliance with the collaboration of the Black Organization
Council and National Panhellenic Council will be hosting the Virginia Techs first Black
Excellence Gala at the Virginia Tech Inn and Skeleton Conference Center on Feb. 17, from 7 to
12 a.m. Tickets are free and can be picked up at the Virginia Tech Ticket Office in Squires
Student Center starting Jan. 24.
The idea came about last year in the spring semester. I know we needed something to bring the
community together in an amazing way and so I was like well other schools are doing this lets
see if we can make it happen here, and actual planning for it started last semester and now were
here, said Toni Ojomo.[direct quote] President of the Black Student Alliance, Toni Ojomo, and
founder of this Gala shares her reasons for creating the event.
Students and faculty will have an
opportunity to nominate students
and faculty they feel are
deserving of each award in the
category up until Jan. 1, at 11:59
p.m. During the event students
will be recognized for awards
such as the Academic, Athletic,
Ut Prosim, Community Building,
Mr. and Ms. Black Excellence,
and the Pillar award.

Formal attire is mandatory. Black

tie is optional. Photographers will
be present. Dinner will be
included.
Photo by: Richard Randolph
Strolling to the beat of the music members of the NPHC
Tickets are going fast. According congregate to the center of the dance floor at the Black
to Ojomo said, two hundred and Excellence Gala, along with member of Sigma Gamma Rho
seventy-five people have already Sorority Incorporated, Toni Ojomo (right in the red dress).
picked up their tickets so far.
The limit is 300 tickets. [partial
quote] Students and faculty are eligible up two tickets. They will have an opportunity to list their
food preference.

Tickets need to be shown at the door. People from other schools can attend as long as they have
someone with a hokie passport getting them their ticket. For more information email Toni Ojomo
at 703-606-0126.