Student clubs celebrated at annual event on campus
June 3, 2016
Beaver Bold Block Party held yesterday at the SEC Plaza
The Student Experience Center Plaza was packed yesterday afternoon with students and staff for the annual Beaver Bold Block Party, an event to praise all of the work campus organizations have put in throughout the year.
Of the over 400 registered clubs at Oregon State, several were represented at the event.
People walking through the Plaza tamed their hunger with free nachos and crêpes provided by the Memorial Union, and raffle tickets were given out to students to win top prizes such as an iPad mini, Beaver gear, a longboard and a basketball signed by OSU Men’s Basketball Coach, Wayne Tinkle. The event also included a prize wheel for the chance to win free snacks and #BeaverBold prize packs.
Dante Holloway, coordinator for clubs and organizations within Student Leadership and Involvement, helped to bring OSU clubs together to put on the block party.
“The purpose of the event is really to celebrate the ending of another awesome year with a focus on co-curricular. We have a lot of awards ceremonies for academic stuff and for specific departments, but the idea is to get out here and look at what students have achieved this year. It’s an opportunity to hangout, have fun, and get some food in the sun,” Holloway said.
Activities included the a demonstration and lesson from the West Coast Swing Club, a performance by group of student dancers named Fusion, steps by the Casino y Rueda Salsa Club and a live concert from students involved with music production here at OSU.
Kelly McElroy, student engagement and community outreach librarian, had a table set up to talk with students about what they want from the Oregon State library, while teaching them some OSU history.
“We’re promoting our ‘Beavers Read’ recommended reading. We did a survey of faculty and staff to ask what their favorite books were, then pulled everything we had in the collection and added an orange band so you can see them when you’re walking down the shelves. We’re also telling the story of Ida Kidder, the first professional librarian at OSU,” McElroy said. “She really helped with getting the actual library space built. She was really dedicated to giving students and staff what they needed which is what we continue to do today, so we wanted to recognize her.”
Students had the chance to pose and snap a selfie with a life sized image of Ida Kidder, also known as Mother Kidder because of her leadership and goodwill.
Deb Mott, assistant director of guest services at the memorial union, has been working events like these for years, but with the addition of the Student Experience Center, it’s expanded both in participants and attendees.
“This is the second year that it’s been in this area because of the new plaza and we made some slight adjustments in making it more friendly in terms of setting up the flow. It’s better for the people attending,” Mott said.
Clubs that are looking to get some exposure on campus through tabling or setting up an event can make reservations through the Memorial Union Guest Services office, Mott said.
