By Chala Civan
Dreary weather didn’t dampen the spirits of attendees at Adelphi’s 8th Annual Spirit Weekend held on campus Sept. 27-29. There were numerous events for alumni, students and anyone associated with the university, all organized by departments including Alumni Relations, AU Athletics, the Adelphi Center and the Student Engagement Center.
The Spirit Social took place on Friday, Sept. 27, by Flagpole Lawn. This open-air event was a hive of activity, offering a range of interactive activities to engage the student community on campus. The day culminated in the UC Ballroom with the Casino Night. Students and guests participated in the casino games, won tickets and joined raffles for prizes.
The Alumni Brunch was held the following morning with about 80 alumni who graduated between 1966 and 2024. Then the spirit carnival took center stage. Held in the Post Hall parking lot, the carnival offered a unique experience for the Adelphi community despite the rainy weather. The rides, food and drinks on the field and the adjacent Oktoberfest tent provided a taste of fall. Other events, such as swimming, alumni meetings and some alumni games, were held as well that day.
“Seeing so many families and children enjoying the spirit carnival was unique and sweet,” said Ashley Labban, a third-year psychology major. “It made the environment so much more enjoyable. As an alumni, I would revisit the carnival as Adelphi makes great efforts every year to make it enjoyable for everyone.”
On the final day, runners completed a 5K and a 1K for the kids' marathon. In the evening, the class of ‘74 had their reunion dinner.
Kelsey D'Andrea, assistant director of Adelphi Student Engagement Center, one of the central organizing departments of Spirit Weekend, said that she and her team began organizing the event in January. She said it was the first she’s organized and that working with all the departments was fun.
“I got to know many people from many departments to make this event possible,” she said. “But it’s also a fun time because it’s an event students look forward to. Families are on campus, alums are returning and they enjoy returning to something they know. That’s about being part of Adelphi and celebrating that.”
She said that the event would be challenging without the student volunteers “who sat under the rain, set down the tables and ensured the organization was going as it prepared. I owe them a lot for all of that.”
One of the volunteers, Tonantzin Martinez, a third-year psychology major, said, “This was my second time volunteering for the carnival. I am a part of the Peer Leadership Program, which aims to assist incoming first-year students in adapting to campus life, and as a part of my program, I volunteered for the carnival.”
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