Twenty five hundred student tickets to the Dalai Lama’s May 10 lecture were snapped up in a matter of about 20 minutes after becoming available today at 10 a.m., according to University spokeswoman Julie Brown. Sophomore Taylor Makin was one of the lucky ones.

The biology major set an alarm on her phone for 30 minutes before tickets became available and says that she was definitely watching the clock for the opportunity to secure a spot at what she describes as a once-in-a-lifetime event.

“I was thinking before I got it that I really, really hoped that I’d get it because it’s hard — the way they distribute football tickets,” said Makin. “I almost never get a football ticket, so I wasn’t all that hopeful that I would get one.”

Makin was able to log in immediately and is “stoked” to hear His Holiness’ lecture.

“I’m not really sure what to expect exactly because I’ve never listened to a speaker of this magnitude before,” said Makin ” … I’m just excited to see what it’s going to be and (I’ll be) keeping an open mind. I hear that he’s very funny, he has a big sense of humor.”

The next date students will be able to purchase tickets is at 10 a.m. on March 11 when they go on sale to the general public. Tickets will be $20 and are limited to two per person. The event will also be streamed via the University’s main site.

University faculty and staff will be able to buy tickets for $20 at 10 a.m. on March 7.