The office of the President and the Student Government Association at Dillard University gave students a much needed social event as their academic year continued. From 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Tuesday, May 2, students were able to take a break from the stress of classes and relax at the Ohana Luau.
Spirits were high as music was played and faculty, staff, and students danced and conversed in the Mark Twain Courtyard. As part of the Hawaiian theme, there were two limbo contests, hula skirts, festive colors, and a buffet stocked with coconut shrimp, pineapples and other types of food and drinks.
“I felt the event was fun and refreshing,” said Jessica Nash of Chicago.
However, Chantell Garrett of Kansas City, Mo, thought that some of the students were getting out of control towards the end of the night. “I saw some of my peers dancing in a provocative manner with each other. But overall I felt that the students should have more events like this one.”
President Marvalene Hughes mingled with students on the dance floor in the midst of people doing the electric slide. Mahauganee Shaw, Assistant Dean and Director Office of Students Engagement and Leadership, showed true dedication and determination to the students throughout the last four months with her work for campus life. Shaw was presented with a gift for her grave efforts by the SGA at the luau.
As the party came to a close, Nick Harris, Assistant Vice President of Business Services, called out the steps to the Mississippi slide, as the student body followed his directions.
As the last song played, New Orleans natives, Rashaad Scott and Gerald Mathews started a second line, while Dr. Freddye Hill, Vice President of Campus Life, snapped photographs.
Ohana means family, in an extended sense of the term. As defined by wikipedia.org, it emphasizes that family is bound together and members must cooperate and remember one another. That was the message that the office of the President and SGA wanted to convey through the event. It was important for students and faulty to remain close throughout the duration of this long academic year.
Dillard University Luau Slideshow
