The aroma of barbecued food wafted up Shortlidge Road Sunday afternoon, attracting students to a laid-back lawn event.

Arriving at the scene of scattered lawn chairs, students were greeted by a sorority member, cold and wet from being dunked into a tub of grimy water.

"It's like we're all one big family," Turquoise McKenzie (senior-rehabilitation education) said, as students mingled around the array of free food and loud music.

The Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. hosted the event on the Hibbs Hall lawn in an effort to "acclimate freshmen and transfer students to the somewhat overwhelming campus of Penn State," Keturah Figueira, president of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., said.

Figueira (senior-supply chain engineering) said the event used to be held annually by the sorority, but was suspended while the sorority was inactive at Penn State for six years. Since the return of the sorority during the spring semester, the sorority members have been trying to "continue the legacy."

The event, which was attended by more than 250 students, was meant to let the freshmen and transfer students "network, meet other students, meet greeks and get free food. Plus they get to know who we are," said Jade Washington (junior-advertising), a member of Delta Sigma Theta and the program and plan development chair for the event.

"They should also know that there are people here if they need support," Figueira added.

The event was reminiscent of a typical family-style gathering, with food like macaroni and cheese and fruit salad. The most popular food with students was the popcorn and cotton candy machines, as well as the Italian ice donated by Rita's Water Ice.

"We've been planning since August to get local colleges and companies to donate money and food so it could be free for the students and isn't money out of our pockets," Figueira said.

Even the activities at the event were family-friendly. Students played dominoes and a game of Twister was being planned.

"It's something different than always partying and drinking," Figueira said.

The multicultural family reunion was also a way for students to meet representatives from various on-campus clubs. Many members of clubs like the Multicultural Resource Center and the Student Minority Advisory and Recruitment Team were there to recruit freshmen or let students know what they did on campus.

Saletia Stokes (junior-criminal justice) said she felt it was important to be at the event and meet students from different clubs "because it's good to get to know people. You can't just sit in your room, you need to get involved."

This article was provided by: The Daily Collegian Online
Written by: Neha Prakash