More than 700 students, faculty, and guests celebrated an “Evening in Paris” Saturday evening at the Gateway Center for the second annual Engineering Ball, the final event of Engineering Week 2001.

“Not only is this a great opportunity to celebrate our common passion for engineering, but it will benefit a good cause as many of the proceeds of this week will be donated to the Ames Boys and Girls Club,” said Andy Malin, Engineering Ball co-chair.

Dressed in suits and sparkling gowns, attendees blended into the surroundings of the event center, which was decorated with roses, ribbons and bouquets. The centerpiece decoration of the evening, a scale model of the Eiffel Tower, attracted engineers and their dates to the outdoor patio.

“The Eiffel Tower is an impressive engineering structure that seemed to not only represent the marvels of engineering, but also the mood we wanted to cast at our celebratory ball,” said Malin, junior in industrial engineering.

Inside the ballroom, a hardwood dance floor was surrounded by tables adorned with ribbons and flowers, a refreshment counter with fresh strawberries, mints and punch, and a 10-piece, tuxedo-clad swing band.

A fireworks display lit up the night sky on the south side of the Gateway Center at 10 p.m.

“What a really nice touch to the evening,” said Sarah Post, freshman in art and design. “The ball was more than adequate in providing entertainment. You really got a lot for your money.”

Engineering Dean James Melsa said the event was more than just a celebration of engineering at Iowa State.

“It is also the perfect opportunity for those both inside and outside engineering to see that engineers are real people and that they really do have a good time,” he said.

Malin said next year the committee will do its best to find a larger facility to support the large increase in demand.

“We moved the event to a larger venue this year that we thought would be more than adequate,” he said. “We wish we could have satisfied demand, but building regulations and other events at the Gateway Center provided restrictions.

“Having to turn people away is something you hate to do, but it also says some positive things about the success of this now-annual event.” More than 700 students, faculty, and guests celebrated an “Evening in Paris” Saturday evening at the Gateway Center for the second annual Engineering Ball, the final event of Engineering Week 2001.

“Not only is this a great opportunity to celebrate our common passion for engineering, but it will benefit a good cause as many of the proceeds of this week will be donated to the Ames Boys and Girls Club,” said Andy Malin, Engineering Ball co-chair.

Dressed in suits and sparkling gowns, attendees blended into the surroundings of the event center, which was decorated with roses, ribbons and bouquets. The centerpiece decoration of the evening, a scale model of the Eiffel Tower, attracted engineers and their dates to the outdoor patio.

“The Eiffel Tower is an impressive engineering structure that seemed to not only represent the marvels of engineering, but also the mood we wanted to cast at our celebratory ball,” said Malin, junior in industrial engineering.

Inside the ballroom, a hardwood dance floor was surrounded by tables adorned with ribbons and flowers, a refreshment counter with fresh strawberries, mints and punch, and a 10-piece, tuxedo-clad swing band.

A fireworks display lit up the night sky on the south side of the Gateway Center at 10 p.m.

“What a really nice touch to the evening,” said Sarah Post, freshman in art and design. “The ball was more than adequate in providing entertainment. You really got a lot for your money.”

Engineering Dean James Melsa said the event was more than just a celebration of engineering at Iowa State.

“It is also the perfect opportunity for those both inside and outside engineering to see that engineers are real people and that they really do have a good time,” he said.

Malin said next year the committee will do its best to find a larger facility to support the large increase in demand.

“We moved the event to a larger venue this year that we thought would be more than adequate,” he said. “We wish we could have satisfied demand, but building regulations and other events at the Gateway Center provided restrictions.

“Having to turn people away is something you hate to do, but it also says some positive things about the success of this now-annual event.”