The Power of Persistence: Columbia College Chicago's Student-Led Gala Celebrates Creativity and Resilience
Students literally set the stage of a successful fundraising event for Columbia College Chicago that showcased student talent from a wide range of creative disciplines.
A live mural was one of the night's highlights.
Student preparing signage as part of Fashion activation featuring student designers. 
Planning, communication, and collaboration were key to the event’s success. 
Students work on Weisman exhibition. 
At the gala, student designers had the opportunity to show off their work. On December 5, 2024, Columbia College Chicago’s Student Center buzzed with energy as students showcased their talents during the college's annual gala "The Power of Persistence." The event, designed to raise funds for persistence scholarships, highlighted the intersection of creativity, collaboration, and professional preparation. From interactive installations to real-world project management, students across various disciplines demonstrated how persistence fuels their creative endeavors.
The event’s success was a direct result of the hard work and dedication of Columbia students enrolled in two practicum courses within the School of Business and Entrepreneurship — Events Management and Gallery Management — as well as students and faculty representing a wide array of creative disciplines to make the interactive activations come to life.
The Gallery Management students installed the art exhibits while the Events Management students organized, produced, and executed the gala’s activations and exhibits under the guidance of faculty and staff members Robert Blandford, associate professor, Business and Entrepreneurship; Mary Filice, associate professor, Business and Entrepreneurship; and Kari Sommers, associate dean of student life.
“Putting on this event is a real-world professional project,” says Blandford. “Students in our Events Management class are working with real deadlines and partners, thinking through every step of the process. It’s the kind of hands-on experience that teaches project management, event logistics, and creative collaboration.”
A Night to Remember: Students Lead the Way
The gala unfolded across several floors of the Student Center, where attendees explored installations and activations crafted by students in collaboration with faculty and industry professionals. And during the dinner portion of the event, guests were treated to a number from Columbia's recent production of "Hair." Tyler Harding, a senior Film and Television student, was the emcee for the event and Elisha Dennard, an Arts Management student and persistence scholarship recipient, shared powerful words about his financial struggles and the opportunities the scholarship has given him.
From fashion shows to interactive games and digital art and even lighting, every corner of the space was filled with student-driven creativity.
Joelle Olabode, a senior majoring in Fashion Design, reflected on the importance of the evening, particularly for her and her fellow BFA students.
“This event is our opportunity to make a mark,” Olabode shares. “We want to connect with donors, share what we’ve been working on, and show how our department supports us.”
Olabode’s designs, part of the Spring 2025 collections, captivated guests with their bold creativity and craftsmanship.
Gaming Innovation: A Steampunk Detective Experience
In the digital realm, senior Game Design student Oliver Hustis transported guests to a Victorian-inspired world with the demo of “A Clockwork Enigma,” a steampunk-themed detective game. Inspired by Kate Warne, the first female detective in the late 1800s, the game allows users to explore environments, collect evidence, and follow a compelling narrative.
“We’re inspired by the era and by Kate herself,” Hustis explains. “This project is about blending storytelling with interactivity, and it’s exciting to see people engage with it.”
For Hustis, who plans to continue developing the game even after graduation, the collaborative process of game development is as valuable as the final product. “When you work in a team, you learn so much from each other,” he adds.
Music Business in Action: SXSW Comes to Chicago
The exhibit gave attendees a hands-on glimpse into the music industry, allowing them to manage the promotion and publishing of a Columbia artist. Music Business senior Amber Cortecero played a pivotal role in planning the event, coordinating an activation inspired by the iconic South by Southwest (SXSW) festival.
“This activation shows the practical side of what we do as music business students,” Cortecero says. “I’m thankful to Columbia and my mentors for helping me gain this kind of experience.”
Creative Writing: Tapping into the Collective Imagination
Senior Creative Writing major Lindsay Hammond and cohorts led an “Exquisite Corpse” activation, inviting attendees to contribute prompts that were transformed into collaborative poems and stories.
“It’s an honor to be part of this event,” Hammond says. “I love seeing people engage with writing in a creative and meaningful way.”
The activation exemplified the power of collective creativity, drawing participants into the dynamic process of storytelling.
A Celebration of Talent and Teamwork
The Power of Persistence gala was a semester in the making. From managing logistics to coordinating exhibits, the students’ classwork underscored the value of real-world experience.
“We worked in teams to manage different aspects of the event, including coordinating with the fashion students, setting up exhibits, and managing the event flow,” says Will Ramirez, a senior Arts Management student. “This was a huge opportunity to apply everything we’ve learned in a practical setting and seeing it all come together tonight is so rewarding.”
Camryn Mather, another senior Arts Management student, sums it up best: “This event was a testament to what can happen when interdisciplinary teams come together with a shared vision.”
The Activations and Exhibits: A Recap
- Music Meets Management: Experience Columbia at South by Southwest
Attendees were transported to South by Southwest in a unique interactive game, where they helped a Columbia artist sign, promote, and publish their music. Music Business students worked together to design the activation, which mirrored what actual students do when they visit SXSW each year as part of their coursework and face real-world challenges in the music industry.
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