In its third year, Ivy Tech Community College Northeast’s A Reason to Taste: City of Lights raised more than $70,000 through corporate sponsorships, silent auction funds, and fund-a-need donations. Money raised benefits student scholarships through the the Ivy Tech Foundation. The event took place the evening of Oct. 25 in the Student Life Center on Ivy Tech Northeast’s North Campus (3701 Dean Drive, Fort Wayne).

“A Reason to Taste had delicious food and was beautifully coordinated. It was also one of the classiest events I’ve been a part of in nearly 30 years of hosting events,” says 21Alive news anchor Melissa Long. “I’m amazed by the great turn-out and with Ivy Tech reaching its fundraising objectives. It was a fantastic evening all the way around, and I know Tommy (Schoegler) feels the same way.”

Long and Schoegler served as emcees for the evening.

From left: Heather Schoegler, Tommy Schoegler, and Melissa Long have their photos snapped at the photo booth for guests. Tommy Schoegler and Long, media personalities with 21Alive, served as emcees for A Reason to Taste: City of Lights.

At A Reason to Taste: City of Lights, guests experienced a multi-course menu prepared by hospitality administration students who won an opportunity to study culinary arts in France for two weeks. Students created the menu, cooked, and served the food at the fundraiser.

“Everything served was my favorite because I’m a foodie,” says Cheri Becker, Greater Fort Wayne Inc. vice president of leadership and community engagement. “The culinary arts students exceeded expectations. Restaurateurs from around the country should come to Fort Wayne when they’re looking to hire. These students are awesome.”

Bryce Verfaillie, at left, plates food at A Reason to Taste: City of Lights. Verfaillie and other students converted a hallway in the Student Life Center into their prep area for the multi-course fundraising dinner.

For the first time, guests had the opportunity to bid online for silent auction items including a wide array of donations: jewelry, restaurant and local business gift cards, trips, children’s items, and more.

“I liked the retro and sleek look of the venue, especially the bar set,” says Ryan Twiss, director of the Big Goal Collaborative. “I also liked the high-tech approach to the auction bidding and the availability of the charging stations for smartphones.”

For A Reason to Taste: City of Lights, the Student Life Center gym transformed from a space for basketball to a setting fit for a multi-course French feast.

Next year’s event has been scheduled for Oct. 24, 2015. Those who are interested in sponsorship opportunities and/or serving on the planning committee can contact Kelli Brandenberger at kbrandenberger@ivytech.edu or 260-481-2243.

PHOTOS
Visit Ivy Tech Northeast’s flickr page at flickr.com/photos/ivytechfortwayne to see photos from the event, which can be used for publication. (Captions below.)

VIDEOS
Check out two videos on the College’s YouTube channel featuring students and faculty who make A Reason to Taste come to life:

• About A Reason to Taste: http://youtu.be/jHwBptjc3Qg
• Bryce Verfaillie’s story: http://youtu.be/nRGyBxt4yT4

SPONSORS
Presenting sponsor Parkview Health; reception sponsor Plumbers and Steamfitters Local 166; media sponsor ABC 21Alive; 3Rivers Federal Credit Union; Asher Agency; Auburn Gear; Barnes & Thornburg LLP; BF Goodrich; Brooks Construction Company Inc.; Robert Dettmer, M.D.; Do It Best Corp.; Fort Wayne Metals; Frontier Communications; The Hagerman Group; KB Search Team; Lincoln Financial Group; Patrick and Sandra May; Midwest Pipe & Steel, Inc.; MSKTD & Associates, Inc.; Micropulse, Inc.; NIPSCO; Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership—Regional Chamber of Northeast Indiana; Sweetwater Sound Inc.