KEARNEY – The energy and excitement are building at the University of Nebraska at Kearney.
Campus will be buzzing with activity this week as more and more Lopers arrive for the start of another academic year.
Before fall classes begin Monday, UNK will celebrate its new and returning students during the traditional Blue Gold Welcome events.
The festivities are highlighted by the annual Blue Gold Showcase, an opportunity for students, staff, faculty and community members to come together for an evening of food and fun. Scheduled for 5-8 p.m. Friday on the campus greens near Cope Fountain, this iconic event typically draws a crowd of more than 2,000 people.
About 180 businesses, campus organizations and other exhibitors are expected to participate, giving attendees a chance to explore everything UNK and Kearney have to offer. There will be a variety of games and activities, including a dunk tank, temporary tattoo parlor and cornhole, as well as product giveaways. Many vendors also have job opportunities for students.
Interim Chancellor Charlie Bicak will host a community picnic from 5:30-7 p.m. that day as part of the showcase, and the UNK Pride of the Plains Marching Band will perform an exhibition at 7:30 p.m. on Foster Field.
All of these events are free and open to the public.
“Starting the new school year with Blue Gold Showcase as part of the first day of Blue Gold Welcome is amazing for our students – both new and returning,” said Kelly Tuttle Krahling, assistant director of student and family transitions and leadership. “It is great to remind the students of everyone on campus and in the Kearney community who is excited they are here and wants them to succeed. Seeing the students make connections and begin to find their place in the community is a highlight of the year.”
For UNK students, Friday evening’s fun concludes with a party at Cope Fountain featuring DJ Joey. That activity begins at 9:30 p.m. They can also attend an outdoor movie – “Inside Out 2” – scheduled for 9 p.m. Saturday at Foster Field and participate in the Rec Round Campus activities – yard games, climbing wall, bingo and art – from 1-6 p.m. Sunday.
The UNK football team will play an intrasquad scrimmage 7 p.m. Wednesday and the Loper volleyball team has scrimmages scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday against Metro State, 10:30 a.m. Saturday against Colorado School of Mines and noon Saturday against Metro State. The athletics events are also free and open to the public.
Loper Lot Party
UNK will take its back-to-school bash to another level next week when it partners with Hilltop Mall to host a new community celebration.
Scheduled for 5 to 9 p.m. Aug. 28 at the Hilltop Mall parking lot, 5011 Second Ave., the Loper Lot Party features food trucks, games, a DJ, fantastic deals and the city’s first-ever drone show. All students, faculty, staff and community members are invited to the free event.
UNK students can take a free shuttle to and from the event, with pickup and drop-off in the parking lot north of the Nebraskan Student Union.
