What seems like just yesterday, the Hilltop was abuzz with jubilance as we formally welcomed Dr. DiSalvo into our Anselmian home.
The events were gorgeous and elegant, full of reverence and hope.
However, one event in particular caused some commotion and concern—the Inaugural Ball.
As it was advertised, the ball was to be a dance in celebration of Dr. DiSalvo’s inauguration, and the same company that executed Club SAC was to put it on.
When one recalls Club SAC, surely the conjured images do not coincide well with the thought of welcoming the college’s new president.
As entertaining as perhaps it was, it was far from formal or appropriate to the concept of an inauguration.
The music (which, really, to be calling it “music” at all is generous—it is more akin to mere noise, at best) is loud.
As well most of the students are, well, doing what college students do to one another at dances as they prove the only dancing skills they have are ones which hardly would be appropriate to be showing off before the new president (or anyone with a sense of decency and modesty).
While all of this is fine and good for a generic college dance, it was not necessarily sitting well with some people.
Surely it would be inappropriate—surely it would be too chaotic!
However loud and hectic the Inaugural Ball may have been, however, it certainly did not prove to be nearly as bad as some feared it might be.
For the most part, the students “behaved themselves” and were very respectful of the fact that Dr. DiSalvo may have been present.
The crass music remained, but the important aspect is, of course, the behavior of the students and not the questionability of the music played.
Surely in considering a ball, one is much more privy to imagining horse-drawn carriages, gowns and tiaras, and plenty of waltzing; while what Club SAC presents is essentially on the opposite end of that spectrum, things were not nearly as horrific as they could have been.
Better, after all, to have presented respectful Anselmians in a chaotic setting rather than disrespectful ones in a classy setting.
Regardless, Club SAC makes dances for the sake of enjoyment in the moment itself, whereas the Inaugural Ball likely should have had more of an aim at propriety.
Even simpler would it be to simply have not given the occasion such a grandiose name—simply calling it a celebratory dance would have given it perfect license to be loud, messy, and other matters of fun most college students would likely prefer.
When one addresses something as a ball, one ought to provide a ball; this scenario is much like stating that the king will be walking out momentarily, only for a pauper to make an appearance instead.
A mere dance would be for the sake of the students’ enjoyment, whereas a ball would insinuate reverence for the inauguration of our new president.
Fun though it was, and as respectful as the students were, the dance was by no means a “ball,” and one would do well to not advertise it as being that which it is not.