Contact:
Elizabeth Blevins, Director, Office of Communications
Office: (740) 351-3810; FAX: (740) 351-3179; Cell: (740) 464-4854
940 Second Street – Portsmouth, Ohio 45662
E-mail: eblevins@shawnee.edu 
Web site: www.shawnee.edu

            The annual Shawnee State University President’s Gala is the university’s community-wide social event. This year the annual Gala will “Countdown to Silver” and kick off the celebration of SSU’s 25th year in 2011.
            The President’s Gala begins on Saturday, April 24 with cocktails and hors d’ oeuvres at 6:30 p.m. followed by gourmet dining at 7:30 p.m. The Big Bang Big Band from Greenwich Village, New York will entertain with a clean, exhilarating sound that honors the classic jazz tradition while infusing it with a vibrant soulful twist.
            “The President’s Gala is an annual fundraising event that allows us to celebrate the advances made possible by Shawnee State and to continually look forward to the future,” said Eric Braun, director of the Development Foundation. “Doing good work to support this special place and having top shelf fun is what the evening is all about.”
            Through the support of community members and area businesses, past Galas have made possible student scholarships, research grants, arts programs and other enhancements to university life.
            Several sponsorship opportunities are available including table sponsorships and patron tickets.
            Reservations must be made in advance. Individual Gala tickets are available for $125 per person. For more information or to RSVP, call the Shawnee State University Development Foundation at (740) 351-3284 or e-mail at ssudf@shawnee.edu.