2008 Woodie Awards
PatriotFest has low attendance
Chelsea Brown
Issue date: 3/17/08 Section: News
Very few people attended PatriotFest, a day filled with entertainment, activities and food that was sponsored by the University Programming Board (UPB) and Office of Student Affairs.
Based on the lack of participation by current students, alumna Tiffany Gibson said it seemed as though they didn't even care that it was Homecoming.
"I feel as though students are apathetic towards being involved in school activities," Gibson said.
Gibson said she came back for Homecoming because she wants to keep close ties to FMU.
Will McNamara, senior and UPB president, used several tactics to get students to come to the event.
"I encouraged students to attend by creating a word of mouth buzz around campus," McNamara said. "Being that flyers hardly work anymore, word of mouth gets around fast, especially since free food was involved. Of course, incorporating Facebook didn't hurt."
Advertisements that were created for the event and posted around campus still didn't seem to help.
Although Gibson was disappointed by the lack of student involvement, alumni and students who did come out to support the school said they had a nice time.
Kashayla Simmons, junior, attended several events, including PatriotFest. She said the event gave her a chance to socialize.
"I felt really good about the fest," Simmons said. "You could meet many new people."
Entertainment included a performance by a local band and step routines from fraternities. Awards also were given to the intramural squads and individual players who won Patriot Games during the week.
Based on the lack of participation by current students, alumna Tiffany Gibson said it seemed as though they didn't even care that it was Homecoming.
"I feel as though students are apathetic towards being involved in school activities," Gibson said.
Gibson said she came back for Homecoming because she wants to keep close ties to FMU.
Will McNamara, senior and UPB president, used several tactics to get students to come to the event.
"I encouraged students to attend by creating a word of mouth buzz around campus," McNamara said. "Being that flyers hardly work anymore, word of mouth gets around fast, especially since free food was involved. Of course, incorporating Facebook didn't hurt."
Advertisements that were created for the event and posted around campus still didn't seem to help.
Although Gibson was disappointed by the lack of student involvement, alumni and students who did come out to support the school said they had a nice time.
Kashayla Simmons, junior, attended several events, including PatriotFest. She said the event gave her a chance to socialize.
"I felt really good about the fest," Simmons said. "You could meet many new people."
Entertainment included a performance by a local band and step routines from fraternities. Awards also were given to the intramural squads and individual players who won Patriot Games during the week.
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