Celebrating Community at the Dietrich College Great Gatsby Ball

Hey everyone! My name is Tiffany and I’m a second-year at Carnegie Mellon, studying economics and statistics, as well as ethics, history and public Policy. As part of the Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences, I recently had the opportunity to attend their Great Gatsby Ball, which was a time to not only enjoy some good music and food, but also to appreciate my fellow students and faculty. 

Hosted in the Music Hall Foyer at the Carnegie Museums of Art and Natural History, its grand baroque interior provided the perfect backdrop for the opulence of the 1920’s. Many attendees dressed in stunning gowns and flapper dresses; one person even complemented his suit with a cane and top hat to complete his chic ensemble. The food and refreshments were no less luxurious, with the highlight being an ice luge that was in the shape of a swan, with the luge dispensing Pink Lady drinks for thirsty guests. 

However, the guests of the Great Gatsby Ball had an important role, which was to nominate Dietrich faculty and staff as Honored Guests at the Ball beforehand. These Honored Guests were recognized in a speech by students of the Dietrich’s Student Advisory Board, who were also responsible for planning the expansive event. This year’s cohort of Honored Guests spanned across multiple departments in Dietrich, ranging from faculty in Information Systems and History to the college’s deans and advisors for Student Success, Educational Outreach and more. As someone who has had many of them as my professors and academic advisors, I can attest to the compassion and investment that they have shown in their students’ learning, with the Student Advisory Board deservedly lauding them for their role in creating safe spaces for those students.

At the end of their speech, the Advisory Board took a moment to recognize Richard Scheines, who is serving the last semester in his tenure as the Bess Family Dean of Dietrich College. Dr. Scheines has been making an impact on Dietrich College and Carnegie Mellon for students of all years and generations, having been a leader of Dietrich College ever since many of us were just 6 or 7 years old. It was a bittersweet moment, but the Advisory Board was able to communicate the school’s appreciation for Dr. Scheines’ work and his role as “champion for all of Dietrich’s disciplines." 

Dietrich’s events are certainly a fantastic way to have fun and unwind from classes and extracurriculars; however, times like these remind us that they also serve as a space to cherish the bonds that we have formed throughout our time at Carnegie Mellon — and recognize the value that they have brought to all aspects of our lives.