There comes a time in a student’s life where they might need to know a thing or two about etiquette.

The Lumpkin College of Business and Applied Sciences gave students a chance to learn how to become more professional Thursday night in the Grand Ballroom of the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union.

Approximately 150 students attended the fifth annual etiquette dinner, each one of them dressed in business attire.

The dinner opened up with a welcome by Julie Chadd, assistant professor of the school of technology.

“What you learn here, you’ll remember for the rest of your lives,” Chadd said. “You’ll find out what to do in situations you’re unfamiliar with.”

The event aided in students’ knowledge of professional development.

“It’s one of the most important opportunities to learn how to act at an interview, wedding or even with family or friends,” Chadd said.

The event aimed mostly towards a student’s career field.

The dinner included presentations and demonstrations on how to deal with real life situations students will run into when they’re looking for jobs.

Some topics that were discussed included how to dress, how to work a room and dining skills.

Mary Lou Hubbard, professor of the department of family and consumer sciences, presented a slide show containing tips and rules of how to dress and present yourself.

“We are a more conservative society now,” Hubbard said. “More skin, less credibility.”

Diane Hoadley, dean of Lumpkin College of Business and Applied Sciences, said this event helps students prepare for the job market.

Hoadley presented tips on how to work a room with rules like introductions and limits on alcohol intake.

Before the dining portion of the event, Linda Moore, director of career services, gave information on how to eat at a business function.

“This is one of the most professional group of students we’ve had in many years,” Moore said.

There were 24 tables, seating six students each, scattered around the Grand Ballroom floor, equipped with candles and tablecloths.

A four-course meal was then served.

The meal included soup, salad, a choice of an entrée and dessert, along with water, ice tea, soft drinks, and sourdough rolls with butter.

Harrison Cole, senior piano performance major, provided the music for the evening while students and staff dined.

The night ended with knowledge of how to act at a business gathering, as well as full stomachs.

Cyndi Francois can be reached at 581-7942 or at dennewsdesk@gmail.com.

Chelsea Korneta, middle, serves soup to senior dietetics major Aneesah Buckner, left, and dietetics graduate student Sarah Allen, right, at Thursday night’s etiquette dinner in the Grand Ballroom of the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union. (Erin Mathe

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