MBA faculty auction benefits local charities

Professor Cattani emcees at auction.

By Kelly Giese
Kelley Partner

The Kelley Association of Women MBAs recently hosted the 13^th Annual Faculty Auction at a favorite Bloomington venue – The Bluebird.  In the season of finals and case competitions, many of our MBA students took a study break to raise money for various charities in Bloomington.

With professors Kyle Cattani and James Pratt performing emcee duties and a Second Year band, Space Truck, rocking out, it was an awesome night for the Kelley community.

Our generous, and in some cases brave, faculty put together a wide variety of packages for the students to bid on. Many will be hosting students in their homes for TV viewing parties, homemade gourmet dinners and wine tastings. Others will be playing laser tag and basketball against the students. There was an auction item for everyone – sports fans, "Gossip Girl" fans and foodies.

The top auction items:

• Basketball scrimmage faculty vs. First Year students at Assembly Hall - $2,500
• Trash TV and dinner with professor Wayne Winston - $1,500
• Low-Country Broil Cookout with the Graduate Career Services Team - $1,450
• Tour de France Wine & Cheese Night with Associate Chair of MBA Program, Jonlee Andrews and Dean Dan Smith - $1,400
• Watch the Super Bowl with professor Winston - $1,400

Space Truck really rocks!

Our students also put together packages for their fellow students to bid on.  Brown bag lunches for a week, dancing lessons, lawn care services, homemade dinners, personal training and more.

Together, the Kelley community raised $23,117 for the following student-selected charities: Options for Better Living, Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard, My Sister’s Closet, and Middle Way House.

I’m not certain if this was the most successful Faculty Auction to date, but one thing I do know is it’s one of the best events to see the Kelley Culture in action.  Non-employed students opening their wallets. Faculty members opening their homes. Everyone coming together during this season of giving.

The significance of the evening went beyond the fun evening itself. The Kelley School is truly a special place, for many reasons. On this night, it was our people.