Even after the cupcakes and other hors d'oeuvres were gone, student musicians entertained crowds Friday night at the AU Inaugural Ball, co-hosted by the AU College Democrats and the International Student Association's Leadership Team.
More than 200 students filled the rooms of the KORUS House, a South Korean cultural venue meant to promote U.S.-Korean relations, said Hosan Kim, the project coordinator for the KORUS House.
School of International Service Dean Louis Goodman gave a speech at the beginning of the event, followed by performances by AU a capella groups Dime-a-Dozen and On a Sensual Note and the alternative rock band Built for One.
"That was my proposal, to have an educational component for the event as well," Kim said. "When [the College Democrats] approached me about having a party here, I said it should be political as well."
One AU student created a video that illustrates Korea's history with the United States, Kim said. The video was intended to be played at the event but was not played because of technical difficulties.
Kim said the ball was the first event of its kind at the Korean embassy, and as an AU alumnus he was happy to help.
"We like to say [this] is our first international tour, since we're in an embassy," said Corey Schneider, a sophomore in the Kogod School of Business who is the vocalist and keyboard player for Built for One. "The crowd was surprising, it was really active. [The organizers] spent their budget on the sound equipment ... it's a small venue."
Since many students could not fit into the room where the bands played, a separate room showed the performances on a television screen.
Arielle Klane, a sophomore in the College of Arts and Sciences, said there still wasn't enough room to dance.
"It was packed when we got here, because everyone was crammed into two rooms," she said. "Dime-a-Dozen was singing on the stairs, and we weren't allowed to get food [upstairs] yet."
The College Democrats catered the event, bringing cupcakes, fruit, vegetables, cheese and sandwiches.
But snagging some of the snacks was a competitive process, according to Klane. Students waited for food in a line that stretched from one floor to the next.
The event met full capacity throughout the night. Tickets to the event were very limited, but students could request up to two through a Facebook group earlier in the week. Two hundred students received tickets out of the more than 1,000 students who indicated interest online, according to College Democrats President Bo Hammond.
"One of my friends said I should go to a ball, because it's my birthday today," said Lauren Linhard, a sophomore in the School of Communication. "So I tried to come with 10 of my friends, but only us four got in."
Linhard sent an e-mail asking for tickets minutes after they became available, and she said she was lucky.
Within two minutes, the club received 400 requests for tickets - more than were available - and after seven minutes there were 680 requests, according to Hammond.
"We did do our best [to accommodate everyone] and I hope that those who didn't get in will come to our next event," he said.
A few students who came without their names on the list were admitted anyway, and the students were happy to contribute to the event's other cause, Hammond said.
Tickets to the event were free, but the College Democrats asked for voluntary donations to Relay for Life at the door.
"It's really been a success ... I'd say about half of the people have been donating," Hammond said. "We suggested $5 donations, but people donated $10 or $20. We are celebrating President Obama's inauguration but we are also celebrating [Relay for Life], because he did say this is going to be a new era of responsibility and service."
Earlier during Inauguration Week, AU held an event to celebrate Inauguration for alumni and the AU community. School of Public Affairs Professor James Thurber spoke about the changes President Barack Obama plans to make during one of the event's panels.
You can reach this staff writer at klitvin@theeagleonline.com.
