By Maureen Wilson —
If there’s any time that you’d find Middletown Miami students congregating excitedly, it’s during Spring Fling. On April 10th, in the Hawk Haven and Miriam G. Knoll Campus and Community Center, tables were set up by faculty, advisors, and students alike to promote a myriad of activities and support resources on campus.
There was a sign-in sheet for student information to enter the event, as two tickets were handed out: one for the Flub’s truck outside, and the other for the stuffed animal activity. Immediately, participants were greeted by plenty of tables centered around campus resources like TRIO, TLC (Tutoring and Learning Center), Student Advising, and the Gardner-Harvey Library. Representatives of each were well-versed in regards to the easily accessible and varied assistance each provides to students. For example, the TLC table promoted their writing resources and had students pull from a large box of questions. When a student pulled one out and read what it said, they were asked if they could answer it. If they couldn’t, it wasn’t a problem, since that’s what TLC is for: guiding students in the right direction and answering their questions.
Nearly all of the tables also offered free Miami-themed merchandise, often based on what that table was promoting, and bowls of candy and fliers were also available for the taking. Once inside the Community Center, the tables became more specific to major paths (Applied Biology and Social Science, to name a few) and clubs like the Trading Card Game Club.
Brick & Ivy had its own sizeable table as well, selling Miami merchandise, notably some tassels for May’s graduation. Across from them was an equally long table handing out fresh hot dogs with beef and vegan options. At the back of the room was the stuffed animal station sponsored by ROSA. From llamas, capybaras, octopuses, sea turtles, and much more, participants were bound to find an animal they liked. Amongst everything, a competitive game of cornhole was happening in the middle of the room.
Flub’s Ice Cream remains a traditional favorite for Spring Fling, and it had a considerable waiting line for most of the event outside one of the Center’s entrances. The day’s weather was perfect for ice cream, middling between the breezy 50s and mid-60s, with lots of sunshine. Between four flavors, with the option to swirl any two, many attendees felt content with the truck’s simplicity and the relatively short wait.
Spring Fling remains a fun, lighthearted event meant to demonstrate some of the best the campus has to offer. With the second half of the semester kicking into gear, it’s a well-needed reminder of all Miami Regionals has to offer.