WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. — Monmouth University held one of the most anticipated events of the year on Saturday, December 2, 2017. In his welcoming remarks, University President Grey Dimenna announced that the Jules L. Plangere, Jr. Family Foundation had pledged $500,000 to the university to establish the Plangere Family Memorial Endowed Scholarship.
The university’s Holiday Ball kicked off the social holiday season in style as historic Wilson Hall was transformed into an elegant winter venue. Carolers greeted the more than 350 local business leaders, alumni, parents and friends of the university as they arrived at the sold-out event. As guests entered the Great Hall, they were met by a holiday scene complete with beautifully decorated trees, elegant floral arrangements, festive lights and hanging lanterns, all of which set the mood for a delightful evening of dining and dancing to the sounds of Paris-New York, with all proceeds from the event supporting student scholarships.
The lead event sponsors were trustees Marianne Hesse and Carol Stillwell, with major sponsorship from trustee Leslie Hitchner, Gannett NJ/Asbury Park Press and Wells Fargo.
The Monmouth University Holiday Ball originated more than 40 years ago when the Library Association began holding the event. Since that time, it has become one of the hallmarks of the university’s annual effort to raise revenue for student scholarships.
Additional sponsors of the event included: Unity Construction Group; Feigus Office Furniture; Hackensack Meridian Health; Torcon, Inc.; TIAA, Borden Perlman; First Energy/JCP&L; George Harms Construction Co., Inc.; OceanFirst Foundation; Mr. and Mrs. Charles T. Parton ‘01HN; Industrial Cooling Corporation; Benjamin R. Harvey Company, Inc.; Brockriede Family; D&M Realty Services, Inc.; EwingCole; FieldTurf USA, Inc.; Goodhue Brothers Builders; Gray Family Foundation, Inc.; PNC Bank; Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Byer, ’67; The Martin Group; Two River Community Bank; William E. Fitzgerald, P.E.; Action Termite; AHERA Consultants, Inc.; Breaker Electric, Inc.; Clark Companies; Creative Home Design; D&D Glass; Jeffrey Realty, Inc.; KSI Professional Engineers, LLC; L&L Paving Company, Inc.; Lowy’s Moving and Storage; Ramtown Floors; Seacoast Construction, Inc.; The Angeletti Group, LLC; Mr. and Mrs. Richard Walter, ’77; Wasak, Inc.
Next year’s Holiday Ball is scheduled for December 1, 2018.
A link to an extensive gallery of photographs of the event can be found at www.monmouth.edu/holidayball2017.