“I live for Quad Fest,” freshman communication studies major Emily Carle (left) said, after winning the balloon toss with Sarah Sexton, freshman visual communication design major. ELIZABETH MYERS | DAILY KENT STATER

Credit: Ron Soltys

Three freshmen women embraced the lively atmosphere of the first “Quad Community Fest” held yesterday outside Lake, Olson, Johnson and Stopher halls.

“We live for Quad Fest!” the three said in unison. The students, Roxanne Kilbourne, freshman visual communication and design major; Emily Carle, freshman communication studies major; and Sarah Sexton, freshman visual communication and design major, even talked about making a Facebook group for the new event.

The music, food, games, prizes and social opportunity at the event brought Honors students and residents of Lake, Olson, Johnson and Stopher halls to the Quad for an evening of fun.

Sexton and Carle were the winners of the water balloon toss, but they had other incentives for attending Quad Fest.

“We came out for the festivities and the fun — and to meet cute boys,” Sexton said.

The purpose of the “Quad Community Fest” was to collaborate the different communities in that area.

“(We did it to) create a sense of community within the Honors College,” said Kim Brown, coordinator of Student Life and Alumni Relations for the Honors College. “Since we’ve been here for one year, it’s time to get to know our neighbors.”

The College of Communication and Information Residential Commons, located in Olson Hall, is the new neighbor in the area this year.

Marianne Warzinski, CCI Commons Program coordinator, said this year’s freshmen are beginning to get used to their “new neighborhood,” which she said is in an ideal location.

“We love being over here because of the grass area, and to be able to work with Honors has been nice,” Warzinski said.

The Black Squirrel Radio Mobile DJ Service also provided music. BSR sponsored a cornhole tournament and rewarded the winners with BSR T-shirts.

Freshman chemistry major Phil King and freshman psychology major Ben Harsen, two winners of the tournament, enjoyed taking a break from their first week’s classes for some downtime.

“We can get together and hang out before getting deep in our (school) work,” King said.

Harsen said he saw the event as an opportunity for those new to campus to meet people.

Daniel Shonk, Residence Hall director for Lake and Olson halls, said he was impressed with the turnout, despite the high temperatures.

“Especially how hot it is — it’s nice to see people hanging out on the Quad,” Brown said. “We plan to make it an annual thing, and hopefully it will get bigger.”

Contact residence services reporter Julie McKinney at [email protected].