Last Friday, the Meadow Brook Ball Committee hosted its annual Meadow Brook Ball with the theme “Sparkling Diamonds.” Inspired by James Bond, attendees could participate in a secret mission set around the world.
Tickets for the event, which was held at the historic Meadow Brook Hall, sold out in a record two days on Feb. 19. Three hundred students had the opportunity to attend, with activities such as photo booths, caricatures, dancing and live music.
“Each room is themed after a different country since, James Bond, he travels the world and does all these spy missions,” Maggie Quinn, a member of the Meadow Brook Ball Committee, said.
Rooms included a Paris-themed dessert room with a charcuterie board in the Christopher Wren Dining Room and a Hong Kong-themed room with Chinese calligraphy set up in Matilda Dodge Wilson’s office. The gothic-inspired ballroom became a dance floor themed to London.
Upon entry, attendees were given a passport book where they could write down fun facts about each country that were hidden around the mansion. If attendees fully filled out their passport, they were able to turn it in for a raffle entry.
For some, the theme brought nostalgia.
“I grew up watching James Bond with my grandma, so I really like the international style,” OU student Erika Head said.
Meadow Brook Hall, a National Historic Landmark located on OU’s campus, provided a unique setting for the ball. Docents were available to provide information about the estate during self-guided tours, and the activities were seamlessly integrated into the property.
Initially called the “Scholarship Ball,” Meadow Brook Ball has existed in some capacity since 1961. Although the fundraising elements have dissipated, the event has remained a staple of campus life each year.
OU student Jackson Brower shared that his favorite part of the ball was the historical elements.
“It’s very cool having the event at somewhere that holds so much local and university history,” Brower said. “I thought that the event was very fun, there were a lot of different things to do to entertain everyone.”
Connections to the estate itself were a common theme among attendees. Head works at Meadow Brook Hall, as does fellow OU student Andrea Haslett.
“I love Meadow Brook. It’s my third year coming and I actually work in Meadow Brook as a visitor service assistant and tour guide so I love it,” Head said. “It makes me feel like I’m living out all of my fantasy ball dreams.”
Haslett shared a similar sentiment, drawing on her own experiences at the estate.
“I work here over the summer for the writing project, so it’s fun to be back in here, and I have all the little facts to tell my friends and stuff,” Haslett said. “I like seeing the manor.”
The planning process for Meadow Brook Ball begins months in advance, with committee members carefully crafting a theme, coordinating activities and ensuring every detail complements the historic venue.
For Quinn, she sees it as “prom, but better,” with the opportunity to help plan an event where she can have fun with her friends, whether they are fellow committee members or guests that she has invited. Ultimately, she hopes that it leaves a positive impression on the campus community.
“It creates a legacy that OU is a very social place, there’s always something going on,” Quinn said. “That’s the impression that I hope it leaves.”
