Vaclav Klaus spoke on the topic, “Europe and America: Our Common Crisis” on Oct. 10, finishing off two days of celebration at the launch of the college’s Rebirth of Liberty and Learning Campaign.
Born in 1941, Klaus survived Nazism and communism and took an active stance against the latter.
He spoke about the European integration’s destructive influence on Europe’s economy, and how the European Union regulates far too closely to allow any real economic growth.
Klaus talked about the noticeable similarities between the American and European systems.
“The ideas leading to the weakening of the market economy and to the strengthening of the welfare state, with all of the inimitable consequences, come from this side of the Atlantic,” he said.
Klaus said the only hope for Europe is a firm, principled resistance to the beliefs and philosophies that threaten it. The same holds true for the United States. Klaus’ example of peaceful, democratic leadership in the midst of an undemocratic world, is the reason College President Larry Arnn chose Klaus as the final speaker for the gala.
“He carried on,” Arnn said, “as I have promised to our friends that we will do … He has done the thing that we must do, if we are to keep our honor as he has kept his.”
According to Ellen Donohoe, executive director of capital campaigns, over 1,100 guests participated in the events of the gala.
“We had about 700 students join us, which doesn’t include the choir, the orchestra, or the 200 students who served meals or the student actors who served as greeters,” Donohoe said.
According to Donohoe, 486 of the guests were members of the President’s Club. During the event, the college received further donations toward the campaign.
“At this early date, we can credit the gala with several million in pledges and bequests,” she said.
Since its inception, the campaign has raised a total of $186 million of its $472 million dollar goal.
Planning for the gala began at the close of the Founder’s Campaign.
“We started over a year ago with some planning,” said Lynn Prough, director of special events. “There were many people involved.”
Prough said that committees came together and discussed every aspect of the two-day gala, such as transportation, lodgings, volunteers, and student representatives. Two companies from Chicago, Partytime-HDO Productions and Frost Lighting, were brought in to decorate the Margot V. Biermann Athletic Center.
“They called it a transformation,” Prough said. “They said they were going to transform the space, and that’s exactly what they did.”
Prough also highlighted the efforts of Saga, Inc. and the college maintenance staff.
“Saga produced all of the food and did a marvelous job,” she said. “And we couldn’t have done any of this without the help of the maintenance staff.”
Overall, Prough said the event had very few issues.
“I’ve been involved in four on-campus galas, and this one was the smoothest,” Prough said. “There was a very smooth transition from plan to execution.”
During the two-day celebration, guests were invited to various lectures and discussions, ranging from the Barney Charter School Initiative to the college’s core curriculum.
“We bring the guests here not only for the celebration, but to learn more about the college,” Prough said. “There were people who learned a lot about the college that they didn’t know.”
Donohoe said she was glad that the guests spent time on campus.
“It was wonderful to see everybody experiencing the college first-hand,” she said. “It’s an amazing place, rich in principles and ideas, and our guests got to see that.”
Despite the relaxed party atmosphere, Donohoe said the gala was about higher principles.
“The gala isn’t just a big party about money,” she said. “It’s about joining forces and advancing the entire institution in service to the country.”
Prough said she was tired after the event, but expressed satisfaction.
“It was just a great success,” Prough said. “I’m very pleased with how everything worked out.”