Northern student senate holds concert, dance fundraisers

The Senate of the Associated Students of Montana State University-Northern have set a concert and their Second Annual Bow Tie Ball this week, with money from ticket sales from both events going toward the rehabilitation of Donaldson Hall, one of the campus’ oldest buildings.

Money from ticket sales for both events will help finance the planning process for the project, which is still in its early stages, Senate President Collin Miller said.  

Donaldson Hall was the first building erected with all-new materials on Northern’s campus. When it was completed in 1936, it became a residence hall for female students. Donaldson was retired as a residence hall in 1971 and the lower floors were rented to the Havre school district, and Donaldson saw limited use as a dormitory or temporary housing space in the 1980s and 1990s with regular dormitories operated in other buildings.

The Northern Alumni Association completed a major remodeling of some of the lower floors in the 1980s and have worked on many other projects to maintain the building. The building housed several offices for the college, including the Alumni Association and the Foundation until 2008.

Failure of electrical, plumbing and the the heating system the building led to those offices being moved and the building was essentially shut down

Miller said country singer and songwriter John King and the local band Plowed Under will perform at a concert in the Armory Gymnasium Friday.  

King’s website says he is a Georgia native. His debut radio single, “Tonight, Tonight,” earned him his first Top 40 hit and was used to highlight CBS’ Thursday Night Football throughout the 2014 season.

King released the single “I Still Pick Up” late last year, and it debuted in the Top 5 on the Apple Music Hot Chart and quickly gained 1 million streams, his website says. The music video recently debuted on CMT debuted on the Top 10 on the countdown.

He has also gained recognition as a songwriter. He received an ASCAP Songwriter Award for “We Went.” The song, performed by Randy Houser, was written by King and his friends Matt Rogers and Justin Wilson.

Havre Police will provide security for the concert, Miller said. A cash bar will be provided by Vic’s Place and concessions by MSU-N Athletics.

The Bow Tie Ball will be in the Donaldson Hall Commons Saturday. Miller said the student senate hopes to build on the success of last year’s ball.  

“We had a good turnout last year, but we are just hoping to grow it this year,” he said.

The formal dress event will feature dancing with music provided by a disc jockey, appetizers prepared by MSU-Northern Catering and a cash bar provided by Vic’s.  

Though people are encouraged to wear a bow tie, Miller said people will not be turned away who are not wearing one.

The doors open for the concert at 7 p.m, Miller said. General admission is $30 and tickets can be purchased at Northern’s Student Union Building information desk, the Northern Alumni Foundation office in 305 Cowan Hall and Vic’s.

Tickets can also be purchased by going to http://www.havreareaevents.com/, scrolling down to Friday, clicking view on the “John King with Plowed Under” entry and click on buy tickets.

The ball will start at 7 p.m. Saturday, Miller said. Tickets will be $20 for an individual and $30 for a couple and will be sold at the door on the night of the ball.