BJU will host University Day, an educational street fair, Saturday from 9 a.m. till noon.
University Day, abbreviated U.Day, is a free event designed for students between first and 12th grade as well as their families.
Pam Cushman, BJU’s director of events management, said U.Day allows college students and faculty to bring education to the sidewalks.
Students and their families will be able to explore campus and visit nearly 40 different booths that will be set up along the sidewalks of East Drive.
“It’s a good opportunity to see beyond the normal classroom,” Cushman said.
Visiting students will have the opportunity to play educational iPad games, participate in a sidewalk chalk challenge, interact with robots and climb inside an ambulance or firetruck.
The WÜNDER Bus is a free photo opportunity for all who join in on the festivities.
These are just a few examples of activities families will be able to enjoy during U.Day.
The majority of academic departments on campus will be participating. People from the Bible department will dress up as Zacchaeus and Daniel, and the theatre arts department will be giving theatrical make-up demonstrations.
Besides the educational stations, several other fair-type activities will be available.
From inflatables and balloon animals to detailed face painting and a petting zoo, prospective students will have a variety of events to choose from.
Also, there will be an ice cream vendor and a kettle corn vendor.
The CSC will be selling coffee and donuts for the Camp Spearhead fundraiser.
“We are having a drawing for BJU students that visit 10 booths—we are giving away two iPad minis, T-shirts and other things,” Cushman said. “The winners must be at the Family Fun Time in order to get their prizes.”
Cushman said it’s a fun, exciting setting for students to build relationships with campus guests.
BJU will host special guests to interact with visitors.
Willie Partin from The Wilds of North Carolina will be doing family fun time on the stage of Rodeheaver Auditorium.
President Pettit will be playing bluegrass music with other Wilds staff.
The goal of U.Day is to offer visiting young people and their families the best possible BJU experience.
“People build relationships when they laugh,” Cushman said.
U.Day, Cushman said, was created to give people—especially those who may not come otherwise—an opportunity to visit campus.
In the past, people who didn’t graduate from BJU hesitated to attend campus events because they assumed only alumni were welcome.
To correct this misconception, Cushman wanted to create an event designed to reach beyond BJU family to the community.
Cushman hopes many BJU students will participate in the event and interact with the children who visit campus.
“The students are the lifeblood of the [University],” she said.
Students wanting to get involved can volunteer with the work crew.
