(March 22, 2012)

Etiquette Dinner benefits students and alumni

SHREVEPORT, LA — Sixty students and fifteen alumni along with various faculty and staff members met in Anderson Auditorium Wednesday, March 14, for an Etiquette Dinner. The Dinner is a yearly event at which students learn etiquette tips and network with area alumni.

"I attended to support my alma mater at an event that I thought was extremely beneficial to me while I was in school," said Heather Kasparek '07, director of business development at Synapse Multimedia. "The Dinner teaches valuable lessons about how to interact in a professional and formal dining setting, ultimately preparing students for interviews, business meetings, and networking events."

The group met at 5:30 p.m. in Anderson Auditorium for mingling and a short question and answer session. Afterward, students and alumni moved to the Whited Room, where they were assigned to tables according to their field of interest or major. Throughout the four-course meal, Teri Haynes, owner of Business Interactions, L.L.C., gave etiquette instruction. The students were not the only ones to profit from the instruction.

"The highlight of the evening was to see alumni admit that they did not know all of the etiquette rules and that a refresher course and continuous learning is extremely necessary," said Kasparek. "To me, that in itself should convince the students how important the event is. I hope to see Centenary continue this new tradition."

The Etiquette Dinner was co-sponsored by the Office of Professional Discernment and Office of Alumni and Family Relations.

Business Interactions, L.L.C., is dedicated to improving company image, sales, and client retention by increasing employee confidence in social skills and relationships through interactive etiquette and protocol training programs of the highest quality.