Business Society hosts end-of-year etiquette dinner

Event offers students valuable training in professional dining and presentation skills

May 2, 2025

More than 50 Blinn College District students recently gathered on the Bryan Campus for the Business Society’s end-of-the-year etiquette dinner, an event designed to help students polish their professional presence through formal dining instruction.

Facilitated by Certified Etiquette and Leadership Coach Randi Mays-Knapp, the event offered attendees practical coaching in American and Continental dining styles, as well as etiquette for each meal course. The evening highlighted the importance of making a strong impression in professional and social settings.

“The knowledge Coach Mays-Knapp provided was priceless,” said Business Society Club President Chelsea Wellman. “These skills are critically important to one’s professional success.”

Club leaders launched a spirited fundraising campaign to make the event free and accessible to all Blinn students. Their efforts included a profit-sharing partnership with Chipotle and outreach to local and national sponsors. Supporters included Cengage, McGraw-Hill, Pearson, Brick and Ember, CUTCO Cutlery/Vector Marketing, RELLIS Supply Chain, the Wellman family, Manny Lopez - Pipefitter Union, Mariah Ray, and Blinn’s Student Leadership and Activities Department.

Led by Wellman, Vice President Jace Greer, Fundraising Chair Hannah Dalby, and an enthusiastic team of club members, the Business Society’s initiative resulted in one of its most successful semesters to date.

“We wanted to make this event free to Business Society members and any Blinn student who wanted to attend,” Wellman said. “The support we received from faculty, community partners, and fellow students made this possible.”

The club also expressed appreciation for the support of Blinn’s business faculty including Cody Rose, Kim Gonzalez, and Dr. Oscar Gonzales, and administrators Victoria Fowler, Dean for the Division of Business and Mathematics, and Dr. Tressa Shavers, Assistant Dean for Business Programs, and Amber Bone, Department Head.

The Business Society Club continues to seek sponsorships and community support to help students build the skills needed for professional success. Those interested in supporting the club’s mission can email businessclub@blinn.edu.