"DP' inaugurates 110th Board

and ANDREW RAFALAF Daily Pennsylvanian reporters, editors and office personnel traded in paper and pencil for tuxedos and cocktail dresses Saturday night at the paper's annual banquet. The banquet, an occasion for inebriation, marked the official inauguration of the 110th Board of Managers and Editors, headed by incoming executive editor and College junior Jordana Horn. The evening began at the University Museum with a mass of black-clad guests assembled in the Chinese Rotunda for wine and hors d'oeuvres accompanied by small talk. When the wonderfully elaborate, but woefully inadequate, cocktail hour ended, guests made their way to the Upper Egyptian Gallery for dinner. The exquisite meal, which consisted of leaves with dressing, breaded poultry, shredded vegetables and rice, left party goers hungering for more. While eating the shrubbery presented on their plates, guests were entertained and enlightened by Interim President Claire Fagin, who was greeted by cheers and chants from the ever-popular, always-polite 34th Street staff when she took the podium. Keynote speakers Tom Brazaitis, of the Cleveland Plain Dealer's Washington Bureau, and Eleanor Clift, Washington Deputy Bureau Chief for Newsweek magazine and McLaughlin Group member, spoke at length about "batcaves" and "bonsai trees," and their relevance to modern journalism. The dessert, a surprisingly moist and delicious cake which was topped by at least two strawberries, detracted from the awards ceremony that ensued. Awards were presented in five categories. The DP Alumni Association recognized outgoing Executive Editor Stephen Glass for writing and Marc Blumberg for photography. The ever-famous and popular News Department named Jeremy Kahn most improved writer and Charles Ornstein reporter of the year. The equally self-impressed Sports Department awarded Josh Friedman the most-improved writer award, Nick Hut the MVP Award, and Steve Cook the Best Writer award. Dwayne Sye, outgoing design director, was also recognized. 34th Street Magazine gave awards to Laurie Stahlberg and Philip Rackin and recognized Andrew Wanliss-Orlebar for excellence in design. The Photography Department named Sarit Zadok most improved photographer and gave Stephen Shapiro the MVP award. The Steven Levin Ochs Memorial Award for Columnist of the Year went to Jay Levin. And last, but not least, the Business Board named Eric Einstein Manager of the Year and Shira Dvorkin Business Board Staffer of the Year. Following the scintillating awards ceremony, the crowd scurried on snow and ice to the Penn Tower Hotel and proceeded to dance and drink the night away. Outgoing Business Manager David Bell reminded all that he had purchased $17 worth of liquor for each of them and expected to get his money's worth. He did. Amid the stumbling staffers, Ornstein, incoming assistant managing editor, truly stood out. "He was so drunk," said College freshman and DP beat reporter Kara Blond, who had her fair share of alcohol at the party. "I've never seen him so happy!" Horn was even spotted by several staff members chugging beers on the dance floor. Other assorted mishaps punctuated the evening, including a dance floor fire caused by a candle-crazy guest, and a vodka shortage. Incoming Associate Editor Peter "Gimpy Leg" Morrison and his guest, Susie Korn, also drew cheers for their rendition of the Twist, which won them a pair of his and hers thermal mugs. And finally, per Glass, the newspaper's outgoing executive editor, "For those of you who rented tuxedos through The Daily Pennsylvanian, they must be returned by 2:30 today."

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