University Liggett School presents annual auction and gala; Liggett Knight on April 28

The annual University Liggett School gala and auction — featuring a sit-down dinner, raffles, and, of course, live and silent auctions — takes place at 6 p.m. Friday, April 28, at the Grosse Pointe Yacht Club, 788 Lake Shore Rd., Grosse Pointe Shores.

This year marks the gala's return to Grosse Pointe Yacht Club after several years at the Detroit Athletic Club. The evening begins with a cocktail hour and light hors d’oeuvres, which gives attendees time to participate in the fishbowl raffle and buy tickets for the Cartier watch raffle.

"We try to bring something new to Liggett Knight each year," said Cressie Boggs, Director of Development. "One thing we're delighted about this year is the venue. We are excited to welcome guests to the Grosse Pointe Yacht Club for the first time in almost ten years."

Live auction highlights include a VIP Detroit sports extravaganza, which includes four premier tickets to a Tigers, Lions, Red Wings, Pistons, and U of M football game; four floor seats to the sold-out Taylor Swift concert on June 9th at Ford Field and a luxury trip to Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico. In addition, local companies, Backer Landscaping, Hawasli Homes, and Ahee Jewelers offer landscaping, bathroom remodels, and jewelry in the auction.

"The Liggett Knight committee worked hard to get us great auction items this year," Boggs said. "And our community is generous with their donations, and it's incredibly inspiring."

The silent auction features almost 200 items in categories ranging from autographed memorabilia to culinary delights, health and beauty, and travel excursions. Anyone with a bidder number can participate in the silent auction, whether at Liggett Knight or comfortably at home the night of the gala event.

Not to be outdone, the evening's featured raffle is also an amazing prize — a stunning ladies' Cartier watch. Only 53 raffle tickets are available the night of the auction, and they are $100 each.

While funds raised at the annual auction are vital to ULS and support all areas of the curriculum, funds raised through the Liggett Knight Paddle Raise are earmarked for a special appeal — continued sustainability, efficiency and beautification of the ULS campus.

During the past 144 years, we have continued to abide by our founding mission to “help young people more completely realize that which is within them and in doing so make positive contributions to society.” Among other things, this includes teaching our youngest and oldest learners about sustainability, efficiency, and the environment. This year’s Liggett Knight Paddle Raise supports and helps us to prioritize these important educational objectives throughout campus by:

● Helping us to strengthen our partnerships with industry leaders to explore effective sustainability solutions.
● Allowing us to soon enhance the overall aesthetics of our academic and green spaces, while also providing more comfortable and energy efficient learning environments for all our students, faculty and staff.
● Providing increased hands-on learning opportunities including new gardens, recycling initiatives and added eco-friendly options like demonstration solar panels and other renewable resources.

For more about Liggett Knight and instructions for bidding at home, visit uls.org/liggettknight.