The annual Back to School Picnic concluded the first day of school Monday with over 100 student organizations, departments and local vendors. Students, faculty and staff got the chance to see what Fort Hays State University has to offer.
With such a large freshman class, many of them experienced what the town of Hays and Fort Hays had to offer for their students, including gifts from Verizon, library cards from The Hays Public Library and news about service projects, clubs and events around campus this year.
“We found a lot about different organizations on campus and saw which ones we’d be interested in. It was really helpful to know all the information,” said freshman Megan Draper.
“I wouldn’t have known about most of those groups if I hadn’t gone, and now I know there are so many groups to get involved in.”
Freshman Carley Melander said although she didn’t know about many of the organizations on campus, she got a taste of what Fort Hays has to offer and found different events and activities she plans to enjoy.
“There were some different leadership opportunities that you can pursue around campus,” Melander said.
“I didn’t sign up for anything, but I’m definitely going to sign up for an intramural.”
Freshman Cody Harper said he also experienced some prospective organizations he is looking to join and hopes to enjoy their forwardness.
“A lot of fraternities here are trying to reach out to people. There are a couple I saw that I’m thinking about joining.”
The Back to School Picnic is a part of Fort Hays’ annual Augustfest, a kick-off to the beginning of the school year that features activities that get students back into the groove of campus life. With such a large number of new students on campus, Fort Hays used their skills to give students a variety of activities.
This week featured senior start-up, Fringe Theatre kick-off and sorority recruitment, among other events.
Carolyn Campbell, a sophomore member of Alpha Gamma Delta, said this week’s sorority recruitment has been a success, going from seven girls interested in Greek life at the beginning of the week to 30.
“Our goal at the beginning of the week is to get girls interested in Greek life and comfortable with all the girls,” Campbell said. “All in all it’s been a really great recruitment week.”
The week ends with the Union Uproar Friday, the Dirty Dash, a mud obstacle course on Saturday and the second soccer exhibition against Kansas Wesleyan on Sunday. For a full list of upcoming events, check out the Augustfest tab on the Fort Hays website at fhsu.edu.
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