Dr. Vernon G. Smith, Dons’ president, recently announced that tickets for the I.U. Dons, Inc. & Donnettes Blue Ribbon Steering Committee’s 49th Annual Education Banquet are on sale.
Smith is general chairman for this year’s banquet, dubbed “Education: The gift that keeps on giving.” Smith heads a committee of nearly 20 representatives from various civic and social groups and organizations.
The banquet will be held on Saturday, October 26 in the Genesis Convention Center. It starts at 6:30 p.m. followed by dinner at 7:00 p.m., the awards presentations and special entertainment.
Smith said a special feature of the evening will be the keynote address delivered by the winner of the Dons’ 2019 Oratorial Contest. The high school winner will be selected by a panel of judges coordinated by the Gary Community School Corporation. The topic is the same as this year’s banquet theme.
Dr. Vernon G. Smith, president of the organization of Indiana University alumni and undergraduates, said thousands of dollars in scholarships will be presented in memory of the late George R. Coker. Coker was executive director of the Urban League of Northwest Indiana when he died in 1971.
Two citizens will be honored for outstanding service rendered in aiding the impoverished and furthering the thrust for education.
Tickets to the event are $20.00 per person and are available from the I.U. Dons & Donnettes, committee members and at Beautiful Things, 3570 Village Court. The donation at the door is $25.00.
