By Brooke Trower, Staff Writer
As the year comes to an end, Student Affairs and the CAT Team (Campus Activities Team) set up one last exciting event for students before finals.
“We’re trying something new this year… last year we noticed… there’s a long wait for people to come into Springfest. …So this year, we kind of switched things up where we’re going to offer early wristband pick up on Friday, before Springfest. That wristband is also taking the place of the food vouchers,” said Assistant Director for Student Center Operations, Dominic Hannon.
The idea was that the wristbands would not only accelerate the process of checking in at Springfest but would also serve to make sure everyone got their one food, drink, and dessert.
Unfortunately, Springfest had to be moved inside this year.
“Due to inclement weather, the Springfest Concert & all other Springfest Activities will be moved inside of the Yurtchuk Student Center. All activities will continue as planned throughout the building, and Food Trucks will still be available outside of the YSC,” said Student Activities in an email.
That didn’t stop there from being a fair amount of activities during Springfest this year for students to enjoy. Students were treated to face painting, balloon animals, carnival games, a photobooth, and of course, the Springfest Concert.
This concert this year was performed by none other than the Grammy Award-winning pop singer and songwriter Daya, known for her hit songs “Sit Still, Look Pretty,” “Hide Away,” and “Don’t Let Me Down,” which won a Diamond certification from the RIAA and a Grammy in “Best Dance Recording.”
“Right before the headliner, during the headliner, I get to the front of the stage and try and get a picture or a video of everyone in the front. …I do it every year and I love it. Because it just shows how excited people are… as silly as it sounds, towards the end of the concert artists typically play songs that are their more well-known songs… seeing that students are happy or having a good time makes it worth it,” said Assistant Director for Student Center Operations,
Dominic Hannon.
While the Wildcats, a band consisting of school staff, Jeremy Hall, math professor, on guitars and sometimes vocals, Dr. Emer, department chair of psychology, on vocals, Lamark Shaw, director of career services, on bass and Nathan Flintjer, director of student activities and new student orientation, on drums, did the opening of the concert. They have performed for Springfest before, as well as other school events.
“… I also like to see some of my students when they know that I’m playing. I had a couple students bring signs that were like ‘Professor Hall rocks’ and then flip the sign over, ‘give me an A’. … I think that it’s cool to show that side of us… students know us as their teachers and professors for the classroom. I think it’s easy to forget that we are, you know, people too,” said Hall.