W treasures bring 2023 Long Blue Line Auction bids
A vintage cup and saucer from Shattuck Hall, a blue silk MUW scarf, a vacation stay in Fairhope, Alabama, and plenty of items inspired by owls and gingko leaves – those are just a few of the items that were up for bid in the 11th annual Long Blue Line Auction Sept. 29-30.
The online Mississippi University for Women Alumni Association fundraiser, held in an all-virtual format for a fourth year, brought in plenty of bids as well as social media posts from participants who were in bidding wars for coveted items including a serving tray featuring the MUW seal that garnered four-figure bids.
“We had a wonderful selection of items this year – truly something for everyone,” said Katy Canion Pacelli, chair of the event, a 2000 W graduate and the 2018-2019 president of the MUWAA. “The wide variety of donations made participating in this year’s Long Blue Line Auction fun, and donations could also be made online, with funds going to the renovation of Shattuck Hall and other projects of the MUWAA.”
This year’s Long Blue Line Auction raised more than $30,000, a record for the event.
The 2023-2024 MUWAA President Heather Fasciocco Stone, class of 2002, thanked sponsors, donors and bidders for their support.
“I’m thrilled to see such a high level of engagement and enthusiasm during the year’s most anticipated MUWAA event,” said Stone. “A warm thank you goes to the dedication and generosity of our alumni and supporters, board of directors and committee team members where much of the success of this virtual auction is extended. These efforts are a testament to the strength of our community and the lasting impact we can have on our alma mater. It’s a beautiful example of how we continue to support and uplift each other, ensuring the legacy of our institution thrives for generations to come.”
The tray was among a limited number created by W President Dr. James Strobel, his wife Donna and Jill Bethune Wood of Caldwell’s gift department, inside Caldwell’s Furniture Store on Main Street in Columbus.
“Dr. And Mrs. Strobel and I worked a long time selecting the design for the trays, having the manufacturer, Couroc, make prototypes and selecting the right shade of blue for the seal,” Wood said in a Facebook post during the Long Blue Line Auction. “A very limited number were created. … Couroc closed its doors in 1998. Whoever gets it, ENJOY!”
The Mississippi University for Women Alumni Association also thanks its sponsors and champions, a crowd-sourced sponsorship, for their support. Any formal or informal group can set up a page and encourage its members to contribute toward supporting the event.
The Long Blue Line Auction is organized by the MUWAA Special Events Committee. The committee’s next event is the third annual Magnolia Mingle, set for Friday, April 5, during The W’s 2024 Homecoming.
The 2024 Long Blue Line Auction will be online Sept. 27-28.
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About the Mississippi University for Women Alumni Association
The Mississippi University for Women Alumni Association exists to support and promote the mission of Mississippi University for Women while providing alumni engagement opportunities as the university’s officially affiliated alumni organization.