As students began to move in last week, Shippensburg University held “Big Red’s Block Party” to welcome new and returning students for a fun opportunity to meet and connect with fellow students.

The party happened on Saturday, Aug. 20, and featured various fun activities put on by staff and student organizations. The events featured crafts and games, along with an SU staple, “Mocktails.” There was even an appearance by the bird of the hour, Big Red, as the mascot walked around taking photos in the summer sun. 

The event was an excellent place for freshman and returning students to interact with each other as they returned to an in-person world. The event also allowed new students to learn more about student organizations such as the campus radio station, WSYC, a variety of fraternities, sororities and student-athletic groups.

The party offered many crafts for students to make and take home with them, including things like stone painting, succulents with pots for decorating, keychain making and coloring pages. WSYC hosted a tie-dye station allowing students to create a personalized Shippensburg T-shirt. 

Students could also participate in a variety of games. The SU Cheer team hosted a big inflatable take on “Hungry Hungry Hippos” that involved having participants being bungeed to a wall and running forward to collect more dodgeballs than their opponents. Also returning were the toilet bowl races, a race around a small track sitting on toilets made to be mobile with wheels. There was also corn hole for those looking for something to do while drinking their mocktails, as well as Spikeball for those feeling energetic in the heat wave. 

Over by the Ceddia Union Building (CUB), there was a DJ and photo opportunity location for students looking to share their Shippensburg pride. There was also a station where students could leave their mark on campus by drawing with chalk in front of Reisner. Making popcorn and cotton candy, staff and student workers were out in front of Reisner in the heat an hour beforehand. 

Events like the block party are only the beginning of what is happening on campus this fall. For more information on upcoming events on campus, you can look at the official Ship website or you can go to the information desk in the CUB.

Share