Walton College Team Wins CASE Award of Excellence for 'Bon Appetit'

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Walton College Alumni Society Board members Shan Russell, Denny Woods, Trey Buckner and Heather Nelson at the 2011 event with their bronze “fork” award and the Chairman of the Stove.

The Sam M. Walton College of Business has received an Award of Excellence from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education for its annual alumni event, “Walton College Bon Appetit: Come Eat, Greet & Compete!” 

Rachel Burton, assistant director of development; Carolyn Eiler, stewardship and events manager; Jennifer Holland, associate director of development; and Leslie Manthei, external relations assistant, worked on the team responsible for the event and the award submission.

Bon Appetit debuted in September 2009 as an alumni relations event to support the Walton College Alumni Society need-based scholarship fund. At the time, the Walton College Alumni Society had the goal of raising $25,000 to fund such a scholarship. In fall 2010, the society increased that goal to $50,000. Fundraising efforts focused on individual solicitations, but the Bon Appetit event raised awareness of the scholarship drive and brought in additional funds.

Staff members coordinated volunteers, wrote promotional “teaser” blog posts, promoted the event on Facebook and Twitter, compiled and printed the recipe books, assembled the awards and created other print materials, such as postcards and team signs, used for the event.

The most recent event was Sept. 15, 2011, and as in year’s past, it was held at an alumni’s home. The office of external relations identified alumni to serve as “celebrity caterers,” who provided their choice of an appetizer, beverage or dessert for 50 guests, as well as their recipe. The recipes were compiled into a commemorative booklet that was given to event guests. Guests voted for their favorite dishes by purchasing tokens for $1 each. That money went directly toward the scholarship fundraising. Ambitious alumni caterers rallied their friends and family members before the event by collecting “pre-votes.”

During the event itself, the votes were tallied and winners were announced. Gold, silver and bronze “fork” awards were given to the teams who brought in the most money. A Dean’s Choice Award was given to the caterer of the dean’s choice.

A rivalry also was created between two of the Walton College’s advisory boards that provided teams. A “Chairman of the Stove” award was given to the board that raised the most money during the event. Celebrity caterers were given embroidered Walton College aprons for participating.