2008 Internship Fund Auction Looks Back to the '70s

Few, if any, SOM students may remember a time when people said groovy without a sense of irony, but this shouldn’t prevent them from donning their best thrift store finds for the annual Internship Fund auction. On April 17, students and faculty will congregate for one of the school’s most popular events, where they’ll bid on about 200 items, with proceeds to benefit the Internship Fund. This year’s theme is “That ’70s Fund,” somewhat of a nod to the Internship Fund’s 1979 founding. “Mostly, people thought it would be fun to throw on bell bottoms and tie-dyes,” said Sabrina Silver ’09, the Internship Fund coordinator. “And this year’s marketing video just may include a clip of Dean Podolny in full ’70s regalia.”

The auction is one of numerous ways the Internship Fund raises money to help fund the summer internship of students who choose to work in the nonprofit and public sectors. Last year, the auction netted about $41,000, which helped fund 34 students. This year’s items include a night of bowling with Dean Podolny, a week’s stay in a condo in Orlando, front row seats to the SOM commencement, a dinner with Professor Jim Baron and Max Mong ’08, a professionally trained chef, plus gift certificates and goodies from more than 25 local restaurants, shops, and museums.

The auction will run online through April 12 at 11 p.m., before moving to a silent auction in the Hall of Mirrors April 14-17 and culminating with the live auction the night of the 17th.