The Golden Band from Tigerland, LSU cheerleaders, Golden Girls, Mike the Tiger, and Chancellor Sean O’Keefe all welcomed students to the University during the annual Fall Fest celebrations held Friday in the Quad. “This is an opportunity each fall to welcome all the new freshmen to our campus,” O’Keefe said. “And to welcome everybody back.” Nancy Little, who organized this year’s Fall Fest, said the University tradition has grown over recent years.
“This is an LSU tradition, and it’s been a tradition for 14 years,” said Little, a marketing strategist for the Office of Public Affairs. “And it’s a tradition because the faculty and staff and students support this event by their attendance. It has grown now to be about 25,000 people [who] attend the event.” Fall Fest provided free hamburgers, hot dogs and refreshments from sponsors. Numerous booths were set up by different volunteering departments, including a rock wall sponsored by University Recreation. Sororities and fraternities drew a crowd of students for their step shows. “Of course, we always have the Tiger Band, Golden Girls, LSU cheerleaders and Mike the Tiger lead us through the center of the Quad and really kick off our festivities,” Little said. Shagari Jackson, marketing senior, participated in the step show with his fraternity, Omega Psi Phi. He said the step show is a unique part of each year’s celebration. “It brings about diversity, different cultures,” Jackson said. “It gives people a chance to see what we do.” Student Government President Cassie Alsfeld said this year was her fourth time attending Fall Fest. She said the crowd was one of the biggest she has seen at the event. “I think Fall Fest is just a fun event for the students of LSU,” Alsfeld said. “It’s like a big, fun fair in the middle of the school day – the day before the biggest game that LSU is going to face in the past 50 years, the LSU versus Florida game. It’s just a way to celebrate the culture and experience LSU.” Jesse Downs, student volunteer coordinator for Fall Fest, said the event would not be possible without the commitment of volunteers from the University community. She said more than 400 students contacted her about volunteering this year. Ellen McDuff, ISDS sophomore, said Fall Fest was a fun break from class and said she was excited about the rock wall and free food. “I think people are already getting excited [for the game] on Friday,” McDuff said. “And to have almost a big party on campus the day before, I think it makes everybody more excited. It’s like a pep rally.” Erin Dugan, a high school senior from Memphis, Tenn., was visiting campus and taking a University tour during Fall Fest. She said the celebration was a good impression of what the University has to offer. “It seems all the students are really close to each other and united,” Dugan said. “Sports and spirit are definitely a big part of campus life it seems.” Melissa Comoletti, dietetics sophomore, said it was her first Fall Fest. She said she enjoyed the band and free food, and she was impressed by the number of people in attendance. “I wasn’t a huge LSU fan before, but this definitely makes you want to be,” Comoletti said. “I’m sure there are people here that don’t even go to school here.” O’Keefe told students it is a special time to be at the University. “It’s going to be an exciting year. It’s already built up to be an exciting year,” O’Keefe said. “And certainly if there is any doubt by [Saturday] night, if you can’t feel the excitement in the air, it means you aren’t here. [Fall Fest] is an opportunity to celebrate our Louisiana State University. For [Saturday] night and each and everyday, go Tigers.”
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