Event purposefully connects event management coursework, experiential learning, social responsibility
Falk College’s Sport Venue and Event Management graduate program hosted a charity golf tournament to benefit Vera House on May 9 at Timber Banks Golf Club in Baldwinsville, NY. This summer, the students presented a $15,000 check to Vera House in support of its comprehensive domestic and sexual violence programs. Students exceeded their fundraising goal for the event, which was to raise $5,000—while raising awareness—for Vera House.
The tournament included more than 120 golfers, lunch, a dinner reception, silent auction, guest speakers, and raffle prizes. The execution of the tournament was part of the sport venue and event management curriculum that requires students to organize an event to gain a direct, hands-on learning experience working in all facets of the sports industry. Student efforts also included selecting the community partner, course operations, marketing, hospitality, fundraising, and sponsorships under the leadership of associate professor of sport management, Gina Pauline.
This event deliberately connects event management courses, including experiential learning opportunities, with social responsibility, which is a hallmark of all academic programs across Falk College. “The students have gained so much experience in all facets of event planning while understanding the need for themselves and their peers to go outside of the confines of a classroom and serve as an advocate to end domestic and sexual violence,” says Pauline. “While they came into this course focused on planning an event, it has turned into so much more as they now understand social responsibility. Vera House has been a tremendous organization to partner with this semester. The impact this project has left on each and every one of them professionally and personally is tremendous.”
“We are extremely grateful to be named the beneficiary of Falk College Sport Venue and Event Management graduate program’s golf tournament,” says Vera House Executive Director Randi Bregman. “The proceeds from this great event will sustain our services and programs that help us achieve our mission to prevent, respond to, and partner to end domestic and sexual violence and other forms of abuse. We would like to thank all those involved in organizing the event, including the Sport Venue and Event Management class from Falk College, associate professor of sport management Gina Pauline, and Timber Banks Golf Club. We also look forward to future collaboration and partnering with Falk College students to raise awareness of domestic violence and sexual assault.”
The graduate students in the incoming class will now continue the work by organizing the event for the second year in which they hope to add to the success of the event as well as have different auxiliary events throughout the year to support both their learning as well as the work of Vera House.