Tennessee Tech’s African Student Union will host its annual Royal Gala Night and Handing-Over Ceremony this Saturday to celebrate student leadership and academic achievements.
African Student Union President Agness Aneno said the event serves as a yearly anniversary celebration of student accomplishments. Aneno said the gala is open to the entire Tennessee Tech community and focuses on the achievements and community bonds built throughout the academic year.
“This is one of the biggest events on campus and we are really very appreciative that always we are supported by the Student Government Organization, which is SGA,” Aneno said, “And Solo Fund to help us organize this event.”
Aneno said the transition of leadership in the Handing-Over Ceremony is a central component of the evening. Aneno said the public ceremony follows an orientation process where new leaders learn their specific roles and responsibilities.
“This is the official day that we will be handing over to the new leaders to take over,” Aneno said. “So we normally combine this event to be the handing-over ceremony and the gala ceremony because it’s our tradition.”
Aneno said the formal transfer of power is a requirement stipulated by the organization’s constitution. Aneno said making the transition a public event allows the new leadership team to network and introduce themselves to the community they will serve.
Aneno said the organization will have food and festivities. The event will feature a mix of African cuisine and catering provided by Chartwells.
“We’ve been supported by other campus community like other students who are not even from Africa because they love our food, they love our community,” Aneno said. “So they’ve been able to support us, donate to this event. So we want to honor all these individuals.”
Aneno said the gala includes a formal awards ceremony to recognize volunteers and individuals who have donated to the student organization in addition to introduction of the new leadership.
“We work with the public,” Aneno said. “So I think it is very crucial for them to know the people that are coming after us. It’s a great way to introduce them and to help them network to work together with the Tech community.”
Aneno said the ceremony helps increase the visibility of the African Student Union and its willingness to collaborate with the Office of Student Engagement and Student Affairs.
“We have the legacy of working with other student organizations and increasing visibility, which is very important for this student organization,” Aneno said. “So for them to host this event publicly, we are communicating that yes, we are here and we are open to work with other student organizations.”
Aneno said the organization used social media and campus flyers to advertise the event to ensure a large turnout.
“We want people to come as many as they are because we have the capacity to host them and to feed all of them,” Aneno said.
The gala begins at 6:00 PM in the multipurpose room of the Roaden University Center.