LBC's Welcome Black BBQ draws large crowd
The decision to hold the LBC Welcome Black barbecue outside drew a bigger crowd than in previous years.
Aug. 28, 2008
Nicholas Jain/The Maneater Sophomore Kiara Bryant serves freshman Kalia Newton on Thursday during the Welcome Black BBQ, hosted by the Legion of Black Collegians and Delta Sigma Theta sorority at the Plaza Amphitheater. In addition to the food, activities at the event included jump rope and card games.
The Legion of Black Collegians and Delta Sigma Theta sorority paired together to cook up the Welcome Black BBQ on Thursday at the Plaza Amphitheater.
Music filled the space as members of the organizations served shredded pork and turkey sandwiches, and students could play cards and double-dutch jump rope.
Alicia Palmer, head of Delta Sigma Theta's committee for the barbecue, said she worked with LBC Activity Chairwoman Erin Vincent to make the event more welcoming for new students.
Vincent suggested moving the barbecue outdoors from the past location inside the Gaines/Oldham Black Culture Center. When Vincent began planning the event last spring, she said, she had hopes for making the environment more conducive to meeting people.
"I imagined having more people coming together and just getting everybody outside," she said.
The games were a new addition to the event along with the location, Palmer said.
"We wanted to get more interaction between students with the games," said Delta Sigma Theta Vice President Camille Hardiman, who attends Stephens College.
LBC President Anthony Martin said he loved the barbecue's changes.
"It has the feel of an old family reunion picnic," he said.
Martin said the annual event usually attracts about 200 people and the turnout appeared larger than last year.
Sophomore Mike Powell said he liked the opportunity to meeting new people. Powell, who also attended last year's barbecue, said though he is not a member of LBC, events like this might encourage him to join it.
For the first time, the barbecue was a part of a Welcome Week that was coordinated by the LBC umbrella organizations. Freshmen who attended these events all week could be entered into a raffle for a pass to all of the organizations' events this year.
These events included a scavenger hunt, a forum entitled "Reputation and Re-Creation," a pool party and also a tour of the Student Success Center.
Freshman Justin McCain said he came to the event for fellowship with other students.
"I'm loving this because the people here are a part of my culture," he said.
While swaying to the music and greeting passers-by, McCain said he liked the opportunity to spend time outside and meet people before the hectic schedule of school began to pick up.
McCain said he had not attended every Welcome Week event, but he did attend the "Reputation and Re-Creation" forum Tuesday night. He said many people might find that forum helpful.
In high school, McCain was involved in nine different organizations with leadership positions in a few of them, he said. Although not yet a member of LBC, McCain said he planned to join the group, continuing his leadership involvement.
"Everything you learn here is meant to be applied later in life," he said.
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