Contact: Chandra Daffer, assistant director First Year Program, 308.865.8291, firstyear@unk.edu
Writer: Todd Gottula, director of news and internal communications, 308.865.8454, gottulatm@unk.edu
KEARNEY – The University of Nebraska at Kearney sets the stage for the upcoming school year when it hosts its annual Blue and Gold Welcome Week events for students and community members this Friday (Aug. 23) through Sept. 6.
The 16-day event is designed to help students become familiar with the UNK campus before classes begin, as well as give the public a chance to interact with students, faculty, staff and alumni through a variety of activities. This year’s theme is To UNK and Beyond.
Students begin moving into residence halls Friday. Classes start Aug. 26.
Blue and Gold Welcome Week kicks off with the Blue and Gold Community Showcase, the annual welcome festival where more than 200 businesses and campus organizations set up booths. Live entertainment, food and product giveaways highlight the showcase, which is from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday in the center of campus.
The showcase includes a free picnic hosted by Chancellor Doug Kristensen. The event is for students, faculty and community members from 5:30 to 7 p.m. near Cope Memorial Fountain.
“Our Blue and Gold Showcase celebration is a great way to introduce new and returning students to campus,” said Chandra Daffer, First Year Program assistant director. “It gives them an opportunity to become engaged, find organizations they can become involved with and socialize in a fun, laid back atmosphere.”
Another popular Welcome Week event open to the public is Destination Downtown from 8 to 10 p.m. on Aug. 29. Hosted in Downtown Kearney: The Bricks, the gathering includes prizes, free food, student discounts at businesses, an eating contest and live music from Kearney-based band The Talbott Brothers.
Buses will run from the Nebraskan Student Union and University Residence South to downtown and back until 11 p.m. for Destination Downtown.
Strong community involvement and participation from area businesses is key to making Blue and Gold Welcome Week events successful, Daffer said.
“We have so many wonderful community partnerships. The businesses and people involved in our activities are able to give students a positive first impression of our community,” she said. “Their involvement really sets the tone by showing students how welcoming Kearney is.”
Additional Blue and Gold Welcome Week highlights include:
Thursday, Aug. 22
3 p.m. – UNK Volleyball Blue/White Scrimmage, UNK Health and Sports Center.
Friday, Aug. 23
4 p.m. – Chancellor’s Welcoming Convocation at Health & Sports Center. Join Chancellor Kristensen, cur
rent students and faculty/staff to hear about getting the most from your UNK experience.
7 to 7:30 p.m. – Pride of the Plains marching band exhibition at Foster Field, including the 2013 pregame and season-opening halftime shows.
8:45 to 10:15 p.m. – Playfair at Foster Field. It’s a totally interactive, fun way to make new friends, share your Loper pride and start building relationships that will last a lifetime.
10:15 p.m. – Loper Reclamation Dance at Nebraskan Student Union Courtyard. Sponsored by Residence Hall Association, don’t miss this dance with hit music and Tropical Sno.
Saturday, Aug. 24
9 a.m. – “Living College in the Front Row” at Nebraskan Student Union Ponderosa Room. Jon Vroman will share fun and easy tips designed to increase your success at UNK.
5 to 7 p.m. – Loper Bingo on Campus Greens.
8 to 10 p.m. – Runza Lopers Under The Lights at Foster Field. Fans can get autographs from Loper coaches and athletes, who will host interactive games for kids. Free food, music and chances to win prizes are among the highlights.
Sunday, Aug. 25
5 to 7 p.m. – Party in the Park at Harmon Park. Play sand volleyball, enter the big splash competition and play other games with free barbecue. Sponsored by UNK Greek Affairs and UNK Intramurals.
8 to 9:30 p.m. – Stand Up for Diversity comedians Wil Sylvince and Rob Haze at Nebraskan Student Union Ponderosa Room. Sponsored by UNK and Loper Programming and Activities Council.
Monday, Aug. 26
9 p.m. – Back to School Movie Night at Hilltop 4 Theatre. Sponsored by the Peer Health Education Office, movies will be announced during Blue and Gold Welcome Week. Stop by the Nebraskan Student Union Welcome Desk to pick up a voucher for FREE admission.
Tuesday, Aug. 27
8 to 9:30 p.m. – Sex Signals at Nebraskan Student Union Ponderosa Room. Nebraskan Student Union Ponderosa Room Blending a unique combination of improvisational comedy, education and audience participation, “Sex Signals” explores the issues surrounding dating, how mixed messages and gender role stereotypes contribute to misunderstandings between sexes.
Wednesday, Aug. 28
5 to 9:15 p.m. – Campus Ministries Kickoff Night. Students are welcome to attend any of the UNK individual ministries kickoff events: 5 p.m., The Navigators; 5:20 p.m., The Newman Center; 7 p.m., Vantage Point or Chi Alpha; 8 p.m., University Lutheran; 9 p.m., Christian Student Fellowship; and 9:15 p.m., Campus Lutheran.
Thursday, Aug. 29
5 p.m. – Welcome Back BBQ at Harmon Park. Sponsored by Office of Multicultural Affairs.
Friday, Aug. 30
5 p.m. to close – Big Apple Fun Night at Big Apple Fun Center. UNK Students with their student ID can purchase go-kart rides for $3 and are eligible for other discounts.
Saturday, Aug. 31
10 a.m. to 11 p.m. – Bus trip to Nebraska State Fair. Pick up and drop off at Nebraskan Student Union. UNK will provide transportation from campus to the State Fair in Grand Island. Students are responsible for the $10 gate fee.
Sunday, Sept. 1
5 p.m. to close – Big Apple Fun Night at Big Apple Fun Center. UNK Students with their student ID can purchase go-kart rides for $3 and are eligible for other discounts.
Monday, Sept. 2
7 p.m. – Mud Tug 2013 at fields west of Frank House. Teams consist of 6 “tuggers” with two alternates and can register online through Intramural Sports. Men’s, women’s and co-ed divisions will compete, with a celebrity pull also planned. Sponsored by Intramural Sports & First Year Program.
Tuesday, Sept. 3
6:30 p.m. – Soccer Blue & Gold Scrimmage at Foster Field.
Wednesday, Sept. 4
11 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Student Organization Fair on Campus Greens. Getting involved at UNK will enhance your college experience. Stop by the fair to get information from 150+ Student Organizations at UNK and talk with current student leaders to find out where you can get involved.
4 to 6 p.m. – Blue Gold Brigade Information Night. Come and have some popcorn or a slushy and check out what the student organization is all about!
Thursday, Sept. 5
4:30 to 6:30 p.m. – Loper Tailgate at Cope Stadium/Foster Field. All UNK students should enter through south gate for a pregame barbecue.
6 p.m. – UNK football vs. Washburn University. The Lopers host their Pack the House event when they open the season under the lights against a new conference rival.
Friday, Sept. 6
Noon – UNK volleyball vs. William Jewell.
7 p.m. – UNK cross country Loper Time Trial at Meadowlark Hills Golf Course.
8 p.m. – UNK volleyball vs Chadron State.
9 to 11:30 p.m. – Outdoor concert at Campus Greens featuring Them and Us. Beat box pioneer Killa Kela and DJ Ami Carmine headline a show that mixes commercial and electronic music. They take songs you know, mash them up, remix and weave them between beat boxing and vocals. Kela and Carmine have worked with artists such as Justin Timberlake, Pharrell, Prince and The Black Eyed Peas.
Saturday, Sept. 7
Noon – UNK volleyball vs Black Hills State
6 p.m. – UNK volleyball vs South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
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