Newspaper Page Text
Monday, March 22,1999
THE MAROON TIGER
PAGE 3
CAMPUS
"Candle in the Dark" shines again
Faraji Whalen
Co-Editor in chief
On Saturday, February
13, Morehouse College
became host to one of the
premier events in the
realm of academia.
Taking place at the
Atlanta Hyatt Regency, the
annual Candle in the Dark
gala provided a star-
studded spectacular to the
roughly 1,200 attending
guests.
Filling the ballroom to
capacity, the black tie
affair attracted the
nation's most prominent
African-Americans.
Replete with over one
hundred tables, and three
gigantic projectors giving
live action feed of the
stage, a charge of
excitement crackled
through the air.
Guests dressed in
tuxedos and gowns were
dazzled by the upscale
atmosphere, set off by an
ice sculpture in the shape
of the school crest.
Hostess Sheryl Lee
Ralph, who has appeared
in Eddie Murphy's "The
Distinguished
Gentlemen" and other
movies and is currently
co-starring on "Moesha,"
emcee'd the event.
The Candle in the Dark
gala was initiated in 1989
as a fundraiser and social
event to anchor
Morehouse's annual
Founders' Day
celebration, named
appropriately, from the
title of Edward Jones' s
history of the college.
Still the greatest: Muhammad Ali, award in hand, poses with President Massey.
Over the past eleven
years, the event has
raised over two million
dollars for the college.
Award recipients
were divided into two
categories: The "Bennie,"
named after former
Morehouse president
Benjamin E. Mays, and
given to Morehouse
graduates, and the
"Candle," presented to
honor excellence in a
variety of professional
fields.
This year's Bennie
recipients were Senior
Editor of Ebony magazine
Lerone Bennett for
service, renowned plastic
surgeon Peter Chatard for
achievement, and
Surgeon General David
Satcher for trailblazing.
The Candle awards
were presented to Arthur
Mitchell, founder of the
Dance Theatre of Harlem,
Earl Graves, founder of
Black Enterprise magazine,
entertainment mogul
Quincy Jones, and former
boxer Muhammed Ali.
The event began with a
reception in the lobby of
the hotel, which provided
broaden their horizons."
The event continued
with an eloquent
introduction by President
Massey and Chairman of
Morehouse's board of
Trustees, Otis Moss,
Quincy Jones announced his plans to donate $10,000 to the
College.
Sheryl Lee Ralph took a break from her busy acting schedule
to host the gala.
the attendees an
opportunity to socialize
and network with
students, faculty, and
members of the numerous
business and professional
organizations present.
Morehouse students
indulged in a rare chance to
make connections with top
Black executives in the
world
"I got a chance to meet
Earl Graves and talk with
him. It's very rare you get
an opportunity to politic
with someone of that
stature," said Curtis
Brown, a junior business
major. "I think this event
really allows Morehouse
students an opportunity to
followed by an invocation
by Pastor Michael Harris.
Dinner, provided by
Gourmet Services, was
accompanied by music
from the Morehouse
College Jazz Ensemble.
Following the food
service, which was capped
off with a delicious and
well-presented chocolate
and creme desert that
simulated a candle, the
Bennies were presented,
followed by the Candles.
All of the award
winners delivered
eloquent and moving
speeches, highly praiseful
of the college.
Earl Graves earned
even more of the crowd's
favor when he made a
podium donation of ten
thousand dollars to the
college, which was later
matched by Quincy Jones.
The presenters outdid
themselves with
immaculately delivered
introductions and
flawlessly rehearsed
speeches.
Although all on stage
were outstanding, no
single moment stood out
like Muhammad Ali's
walk to the podium.
Accompanied by a
standing ovation from
everyone attending, Ali
walked through the aisle,
seemingly unencumbered
by his battle with
Parkinson's disease, with
■ the same ease and agility
he displayed so many
years ago in the ring.
His wife delivered an
emotional and heartfelt
speech on his behalf, even
taking time to commend
the student presenters.
Henry Goodgame,
dean of student affairs,
expressed his satisfaction
with the evening: "I
thought it was a
spectacular evening. The
students really got a
chance to see just how
respected the institution
is."
Arthur Mitchell was
very impressed with the
reception to the Dance
Theater's performance,
and Muhammed Ali and
Quincy Jones were also
extremely happy with
both the event and the
awards they received.
Junior Randall
Jackson, who presented a
lifetime achievement
award to record mogul
Quincy Jones, said,
"Candle in the Dark this
year was an experience
that I will remember for a
long time. The whole
event had an energy that
could be felt by
everyone."