Titanic dinner in Midwest City raises money for Rose State College scholarships

The Saturday night event focused on the final meal on the luxury ship before it sank on April 15, 1912. Many of the 160 guests for the Rose State event wore period dress and dined on the 10-course meal that was served to first-class passengers. There was also a toast and a prayer for the victims of the sinking.

Menu items included filet mignon, glazed roast duckling, lamb with mint sauce and Waldorf pudding.

Guests were there to financially assist current and future Rose State students through the Rose State College Foundation. Tickets were $125 a person and $200 per couple. Sponsorships were available for $1,250.

“It's a unique event in history that captures people's imagination,” Rose State spokesman Ben Fenwick said. “The scholarships are like lifeboats for our students in many ways. They are very important.”

Some couples attended the dinner wearing period top hats, tuxedos and ball gowns.

“This was really a no-brainer for us,” Rose State Foundation director Lisa Pitsiri said. “It's a chance to put some historical information out there for people and to have a little bit of fun.”

Pitsiri said there is a growing demand for scholarship money at the school. Rose State has more than 8,000 students and 60 degree programs.

“We always have many more applicants for scholarships than we can fund, and the need isn't going away,” Pitsiri said. “That's the focus and mission of the foundation.”