Cotton candy, ice cream, a moonwalk, live music, a dunk-tank, dance contests, a rock-climbing wall: all of these sound like the makings of a fall carnival. Last Friday these events were all part of First Ram Friday.
First Ram Friday was one of many events included in VCU’s “Welcome Week – Best Week Ever” and was a collaborative effort by many university organizations.
The event took place in the University Student Commons and the Commons Plaza, bringing students out to celebrate the beginning of a new school year.
“It’s the first event of the year, it’s very important to get people out in the beginning to build a sense of community,” said Landis Wine, co-director of concerts and events for VCU UnCommon Live.
Jahnnissi Tirado, co-director of the Activities Programming Board, said First Ram Friday was a chance to make the VCU community stronger. There is a “push for students to be active. Its more than just going to class,” she said.
Greek leadership at VCU also saw First Ram Friday’s sense of community as a chance to create awareness about Greek life and recruitment. Troy Mostaan, president of Greek Council and Pi Lambda Phi, said the event helped create a “campus lifestyle,” and showed students what they can do at VCU.
Mostaan was one of several participants in the Inter-fraternal Council sponsored dunk tank, where students tried their best to sink him. The dunk tank, along with the Greek ice cream social, were part of the Greeks’ First Ram Friday participation.
The events served as an opportunity to take advantage of the community social setting where fraternities and sororities could introduce themselves to new and returning students.
Mike Karnjanaprakorn, Greek life graduate assistant and IFC advisor, agreed that First Ram Friday was a “social outlet” for students.
“It has a little bit of something for everyone,” Karnjanaprakorn said. “This is the kick off to recruitment.”
Mahelet Tilaye, a freshman business foundations major, found out about First Ram Friday through a pamphlet at Welcome Week. She came to the event as a student interested in joining a sorority.
“I think it’s part of college life,” Tilaye said.
Many organizations saw First Ram Friday as a time to cultivate new interest.
Hillel@VCU, a youth-oriented Jewish social organization, had an information table set up along Linden Court.
Abbie Stewart, publicity chair for Hillel@VCU, said they’re a small group looking to reach people, especially freshmen.
Mary Silverstein, another member of Hillel@VCU, said “freshmen are looking for a place to connect with people who are like them.”
Hillel@VCU was one of several groups with an information table. The Black Caucus, which also had a table, saw participation in First Ram Friday as a great way to promote their organization.
Vice president Andre Foxx said they took advantage of the event because it was an opportunity to show their faces and interact with the VCU community.
Foxx summed it up, saying, “First Friday is a first impression and shows what VCU has to offer.”