Bob Jones University celebrated its third annual Harvest Fest on Oct. 28 as students, faculty and staff dressed as their favorite characters. The Student Leadership Council organized the event for students to enjoy a fun night of picking up candy from different stations, eating popcorn and seeing their professors and staff members dressed up.
Student body president Karis Martin said the SLC designed the event to promote unity among the BJU community. “We really want this to be an event where students can interact with faculty,” Martin said. “And of course, the costumes are always super fun.” Similarly, the SLC wanted to help ease the stress students have from schoolwork. “We just want to give students something fun and kind of just relieve the stress and have a good time,” Martin said.
Students had the opportunity to visit 50 different stations to collect candy. But the most popular spot was the student mall, where students lined up to take a picture with President Steve Pettit, who came dressed up as Obi-Wan Kenobi from the Star Wars series. At the end of the route, participants could stop at the gazebo to get free popcorn and take pictures with each other.
Whether wearing extravagant costumes or dressing casually, students thoroughly enjoyed the activity. Rebekah Reyes, a freshman early childhood education major, said she was enjoying her first Harvest Fest: “Everybody is going all out — and it’s been so fun to see everybody.”
Students also loved to see the entire community actively participating in the event. “I didn’t think everybody would go out, but I love that so many people get involved,” said Julianna Frank, a freshman early childhood education major.
The event was exciting for returning students as well. “I think that it is a great way to bring the students and faculty/staff together as a community,” said Emily Stark, a sophomore communication disorders major. Riley Stephens, a sophomore early childhood education major, also said she enjoyed the event, as she “loved the idea” of Harvest Fest.
In only three years, Harvest Fest has become a popular activity for students to express their creativity and build connections with their professors. More than a celebration of the fall season, Harvest Fest is a celebration of the BJU community.
