Among the attendees of Party in the Park Thursday was a one-year-old red tail boa constrictor. The eight-inch long snake sat comfortably in Saudi Student Club member Ahmad Kalali’s hand.
As throngs of students cleared the path for the tiny reptile and his warm-blooded friend, the pair absorbed the sights and scents of the PSU’s annual kick-off celebration, now in its 18th year.
More than 100 student groups had booths that lined the South Park Blocks. Both the Jewish Student Union and the Arab-Persian Student Organization displayed hookahs at their booths, while across the way the Sailing Club had a full-sized sailboat sitting behind their booth.
The Park Blocks stage featured a variety of musicians and bands throughout the event. Additionally, Campus Recreation, a main sponsor of the event, had its own row of booths devoted to hiking, biking, rowing, climbing, sailing, camping, rafting and just about everything else that can be done in the great outdoors.
SALP, the key sponsor and organizer, was on hand to manage the event, hand out T-shirts, and direct students to the different sectors of the draping white tents.
The Vanguard talked to several student groups and presents their stories here.
JEWISH STUDENT UNIONWHO: Jewish students and students interested in Jewish culture. WHY THEY EXIST: To connect Jews on campus and hold events to share Jewish and Israeli customs with the PSU community. UPCOMING EVENTS: Sukkot on October 20. Megan Sandoze shared the group’s plans to build a Sukkah (a grassy hut with fruit and decorations hanging from its exterior) in the South Park Blocks. They will have a decorating party to which all students are invited. The event will feature live music and a variety of food.
Viking Motor SportsWHO: Primarily engineering students and those who would rather have motor oil than milk with their cereal.WHY THEY EXIST: To build and race mini formula cars. They compete at an annual competition sponsored by the Society of Automobile Engineers held in Fontana, Calif. Their current model goes from 0-60 mph in 4.5 seconds. GOALS: Member Tom Kelly said that this year’s focus was “to build a lighter, faster car and to win [the Fontana competition].”WHEN: They meet every Wednesday at 4:15 p.m. in the Engineering Building, room 495. The group is looking for students of all backgrounds to help build this year’s model.
Medieval Combat ClubWHO: Any student interested in intense padded combat. MEMBERSHIP: The co-ed group is led by Troy Zweber and has about 15 regular members. WHY THEY EXIST: To have fun and relieve stress.WEAPONS: The group creates their own weapons using PVC pipes, foam, duct tape and cloth. The weapons approved for their games include spears, hammers, daggers, short and long swords and round shields. HOW YOU DIE: There are no mere flesh wounds in this sport. A hard hit to the torso or the loss of any two limbs causes instant death, although there are no referees and combatants are expected to follow the honor system. WHEN AND WHERE: A variety of play styles are explored every Saturday from 1-3 p.m. in the wrestling room at the Stott Center.
Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternityWHO: Over 580 men (cumulative since 1958). TKE is a fraternity and part of the Zeta Kappa Chapter. GOALS: “Like all the frats, to increase Greek life at PSU.” – Nathan Deluche, pledge educator, on the goals of his fraternity for this academic year.”To change [PSU] from a commuter atmosphere and engage younger students in the traditional college life outlook.” – Dallas Smith, social chair, on the TKE’s mission.