{mosimage}

    Those wishing to get their groove on while contributing to a worthy cause will be able to do both at Fayetteville State University’s 2008 Chancellor’s Scholarship Gala, scheduled for Saturday, April 26, at 7 p.m., at the Crown Exposition Center in the Crown Complex.
    Held in conjunction with the Dogwood Festival, this marks the fifth year of the gala, which is highlighted by the Sen. Tony Rand Scholarship Dinner. All proceeds go to an endowed scholarship in Rand’s name.
    The cost for the black-tie event, which includes a four-star dinner provided by Master Chef Jason Forrest of Aramark Gourmet and entertainment from nationally renowned recording artist Stephanie Mills, is $150.
    Tickets are sure to sell out fast according to Ben Minter, FSU’s director of marketing and events, as the gala attracts a host of FSU alumni, as well as teachers and administrators from the school.
    “Alumni make up a majority of the guest list,” said Minter. “This is one of FSU’s biggest, if not the biggest, fund-raisers, and the alums come from all over the country for this event.”
    Minter estimates last year’s crowd at somewhere between 800-1,000. He expects more of the same with the gold record-selling R&B artist Mills on the bill.
    Mills’ biggest hit to date was the Reggie Lucas-produced Never Knew Love Like This Before. The single became a No. 12 R&B and No. 6 pop hit in 1980, even reaching No. 4 in the United Kingdom.
    “We’ve always had good talent at the gala,” said Minter, “including Ashford and Simpson and Jeffrey Osbourne.”
    Dinner is scheduled to start at 7:15, with Mills coming on stage shortly after the start of dinner to perform for an hour to an hour-and-a-half, followed by a few words from dignitaries at 8:45.
    The Greensboro-based dance band Sweet Dreams will start up at about 9 p.m., and play, as Minter         says, “until.”
    Minter says this will also be the first gala for newly elected FSU Chancellor James A. Anderson.
For tickets or more information, contact the FSU ticket office at (910) 672-1724.