The Student Loan Fund Auction, hosted by Community Senate in Bryan Auditorium last Friday, raised over $10,000 in bids and donations to help pay for loans to students attending the college, according to Senate President Megan Page.Page indicated that Senate usually continues to receive monetary donations for a little while after the auction is held, and expects the final total to surpass $10,000.

“I feel like over the past several years that the auction has been going through a rebuilding stage, and it seems to be getting better and better every year,” Page said.

Page praised the work of auction chairperson Jesse Melamed and other Senators in preparing for the event.

It all began at 6:30 p.m. on Friday with a silent auction in the lobby just outside Bryan Auditorium. The silent auction featured around 50 items including a one-hour massage, a Jiffy Lube oil change, and a black and gold Nigerian chef’s coat with matching cap.

The live auction was hosted by Guilford Trustee Billy Ragsdale in Bryan Auditorium, and ran for two hours beginning at 7:30 p.m., as participants bid on another 50 items. Ragsdale kept a humorous running commentary as each item was brought out for bidding.

“That’s a rock that looks like something,” he said referring to a stone sculpture. “Here’s a certificate that says it’s authentic.” The sculpture went for $80.00.

Ragsdale, who had 10 years professional experience running auctions, said he wanted to make sure people had fun “and spent a lot of money, that’s the key.”

Among the items in this year’s live auction, a two-night stay at a house in Myrtle Beach that can hold up to six people went for $160 to senior Maya Burlingame.

“Unfortunately, more money wasn’t raised as there were so many steals,” said Burlingame. “Still, I am a student, and it is nice to get a good deal.