Author: Alison Kjeldgaard
On Friday evening, the front terrace of Thorne Hall was buzzing the sound of with students, alumni and professors talking over the DJ’s mix of hip-hop and pop music.People moved back and forth from the fajita and rice buffet provided by the Marketplace to tables set up in the lawn. Those 21 and over sipped the free beer and wine given out at the event’s bar.
The student alumni barbeque was put on by the Student Alumni Relations Committee (SARC) in an attempt to provide a casual place for students and alumni to meet.
“The purpose of SARC is to bring students and alums together, and give them the opportunity to network,” said Alissa Graunke ’06, the Assistant Director of Alumni Relations.
SARC is not only concerned with strengthening the relationship between students and alumni, but also strengthening bonds within the student community itself. New Student Parties are held in regions across the country to introduce incoming first-years and transfers with current students before they arrive at Oxy. Other SARC events include Speed Networking and Where’s Oswald?, both of which give students the opportunity to talk with alumni professionals. “Lots of students don’t know how strong the alumni network is,” Graunke said.
In the past, SARC has put on events like the Decades Dinner, which hosted alumni from different decades at a formal dinner with students. This year, the SARC wanted to try something new, since the committee had trouble getting a high number of students and alumni to attend. The informal atmosphere of the barbeque proved to be more popular, since people can walk in and out of the event without having to RSVP.
Most of the students that attended were there to have a good time, while meeting up with old classmates.
“I knew some of the alums coming and wanted to see some senior friends,” Alex Smith (senior) said.
Alumni, ranging in class year from ’48 to ’08, were excited to be back on campus.
“I try to stay connected,” Jay Marte ’06 said. “That’s why I’m here.”
However, many attendees agreed that the event ran out of food and drink quickly.
“I think it was fun,” Smith said. “There could have been more food, but I had a good time.” Marte agreed.
“It would have been better if there was more food,” he said.Others commented about the music, but still enjoyed the party.”The DJ left something to be desired,” Mallory Nezam (senior) said. “But I still had a good time.”
Tessa D’Arcangelew (junior), a member and president-elect of SARC, also helped to organize the event.
“I was excited about how many students came,” D’Arcangelew said.
Co-presidents Andrea Lane (senior) and Talia Gusfield thought the event was a success.
“We wanted to raise the visibility of club,” Lane said.
All in all, SARC was pleased about the turnout, and hopes to have similar events in the future.
“It was fantastic. We were so excited,” said Graunke as the barbeque drew to a close. “It was definitely the most successful event to date.”
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