Several NDSU organizations are partnering to host Spring Blast 2012, a week of entertainment and philanthropy on campus. From April 22-28, movies, concerts, a fashion show, a softball game, a guest speaker, fundraising events and an Asian Culture Fair are scheduled on campus. All events are free and open to students, faculty, staff and alumni. Kappa Alpha Theta and Sigma Nu’s philanthropy events are $5 at the door.
Jon Okstad, a student organizer for the event, said the goal is to engage and excite the NDSU community in the springtime. He said the idea of having a themed week of events during the spring semester started at NDSU in 1969 and continued until the 1990s. It disappeared for several years before being reintroduced last year by Okstad and several other student leaders, including Jace Beehler, Devon Schmit, Calli Doggett, Matt Katzenmeier, AJ Wohlers, Jen Katke, Kelsey Joyce and Jessica Bornemann.
Last year, they organized ThundarStock 2011 as a way to bring together student groups such as Student Government, Greek Life, Campus Attractions, Fashion Apparel Business Organization and The BIG Event.
“We wanted to have a week celebrating the Bison family that encouraged community service, showcasing student talent, celebrating NDSU and fostering an environment for students to get out and be active,” Okstad said.
He said the success of ThundarStock led to many students asking for a similar event this year.
More partners have signed up to be involved, including the NDSU Alumni Association; Wellness Center; Division of Equity, Diversity and Global Outreach; and the Compass Program Foundation.
“This is a great outlet for students, as well as a time for the Fargo-Moorhead community to see students at North Dakota State involved in numerous activities,” Okstad said. “We hope in the future the week will continue to grow and include more alumni, hopefully a spring version of Homecoming.”
Weeklong events:
- Greek Week – For more information, visit www.ndsugreek.com.
- Delta Upsilon Teeter-A-Thon – For more information, visit www.ndsugreek.com.
- Spring Blast Contact Table in the Memorial Union, 10a.m.-2p.m. –Prizes, Dipin-Dots, sunglasses and more will be given away.
Sunday, April 22:
- Guest author and activist, Kate Bornstein
“Gender Outlaw: On Men, Women, and the Rest of Us,” 7 p.m., Memorial Union Great Plains Ballroom
Monday, April 23:
- Spring Blast Kick-Off, 10 a.m. Memorial Union East Patio (rain site – Memorial Union Ballroom)
- Spring Blast Carnival, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Memorial Union East Patio (rain site – Memorial Union Ballroom)
- Pizza with the President, noon to 1 p.m., Memorial Union East Patio (rain site – Memorial Union Ballroom). Everyone is invited to attend.
Tuesday, April 24:
- The Big Event, community volunteer day – Register at ndsubigevent.com (volunteers can register for 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., or 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.)
Wednesday, April 25:
- Fashion Apparel Business Organization Fashion Show, noon, Memorial Union Great Plains Ballroom
- Senior Day, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., Alumni Center. For more information, visit ndsualumni.com.
- Movie: “Last Samurai,” 7 p.m., Memorial Union Century Theater
- Letters in the Outfield NDSU Baseball Game vs. University of Minnesota, 6:30 p.m., Newman Outdoor field (free for students with student ID)
Thursday, April 26:
- Asian Culture Fair, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., Memorial Union Room of Nations
- Kappa Alpha Theta Queso for CASA, (All proceeds will benefit Court Appointed Special Advocate, which supports children and promotion court appointed volunteer advocacy for abused and neglected children.) 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., Kappa Alpha Theta House, 1262 12th St. N. $5 at door
Friday, April 27:
- Band Day, 4:30 p.m. to midnight, Memorial Union Great Plains Ballroom
- Movie: ”Last Samurai,” 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., Memorial Union Century Theater
Saturday, April 28:
- Sigma Nu French Toast Feed, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Peace Lutheran Church, 1011 12th Ave. N., $5 at door
- Movie: “Last Samurai,” 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., Memorial Union Century Theater
The week is coordinated by: Alumni Association; Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity; The BIG Event; Bison Ambassadors; Campus Attractions; Delta Upsilon Fraternity; Division of Equity, Diversity and Global Outreach; Fashion Apparel Business Organization; Greek Life; Greek Programming Council; Kappa Alpha Theta; Memorial Union; Sigma Nu Fraternity; Student Government; Volunteer Network and the Wellness Center.
For more information, contact Jon Okstad at jon.okstad@ndsu.edu or visit www.ndsuspringblast.com.
NDSU is student focused and committed to its land-grant mission.