While streets outside shone with holiday lights and snow-glazed sidewalks, the residents of Martha Cook took part last night in a University tradition that has been going on for more than half a century - their formal dinner after the "Messiah" concert.
For 51 years, Martha Cook residence hall has held a reception for performers in the University Musical Society's performance of "Messiah" as well as select concert attendees. Last night, guests included former University presidents and regents.
"This is one of the great University traditions," said former University President James Duderstadt, who attended the dinner this year as well as those in the past. "It's always a lot of fun to get together at this time of the season."
Veronica Latta-Smith, a former regent who once served as governor of Martha Cook, noted that the reception dinner generally has been "kept the same." However, she pointed out one difference that involved the large artificial tree in the Gold Room.
"We had a tree when I was here, but it was a real tree," Smith said.
Former Martha Cook resident Trudy Huebner, who served as regent in the late '60s, said she took great pride in the many traditions that have continued throughout the generations at Martha Cook.
"It will never be a coed dorm," Huebner said. "People like to be invited (to the dinner) and they are very lucky."
Current Martha Cook residents were also very proud of the traditional dinner.
"The residents bring enthusiasm because it's a bridge between past and future traditions," said Martha Cook resident Katie Hart, a Music senior.
Martha Cook resident Elizabeth Powers, co-chair of the dinner planning committee, said the residents of Martha Cook have been planning this year's dinner since September.
"At least half of the women work on planning committees," Powers said. "It's been the tradition that the women plan it."
The tradition that has both former and current residents boasting started in 1945 when the director of the Martha Cook building, Leona Diekma, invited the director of the University Musical Society to dinner after the concert at Hill Auditorium. The director, Charles Sink, said he could not accept the invitation because his wife planned to host a dinner for the soloists in the concert that night.
Diekma invited the soloists to attend dinner that night at Martha Cook as well. Ever since then, the soloists have been the guests of honor at the dinner.
Residents of Martha Cook entertained the guests during dinner by playing various classical works. Martha Cook resident Ayako Kato also performed a dance she choreographed.
MARGARET MYERS/Daily
Martha Cook resident Rachel Franzese escorts former University President James Duderstadt and his wife Anne during the annual dinner following the University Musical Society's performance of "Messiah."