NEW ORLEANS (March 31, 2022) – Dillard University will host its Spring Fest today through April 7 with activities happening on- and off-campus, according to Deontrell Marshall, Spring Fest coordinator.
Fifteen events are scheduled over eight days. Two of the events are more serious – the career summit kickoff here today and the annual “Take Back the Night” event Wednesday at Loyola University. Two sports-related activities will include an HBCUs vs. Everybody all-star basketball game Sunday and an intramural game against SUNO on Tuesday. Greeks will present their new members on Friday and Monday. Lip-syncing, skating and lots of opportunities to eat and party will round out the activities.
All COVID-19 restrictions will be observed during events, according to Dr. Courtney Williams, director of Student Engagement and Leadership.
Spring Fest will kick off from noon to 5 p.m. with Amazon x HBCU Heroes Career Summit in the Student Union Ballroom. Presented by the Center for Career and Professional Development and offered in conjunction with the Final Four events, the summit will feature Amazon executives and “a wide variety of icons, celebrities and athletes” providing motivation and advice, according to Dwanna Toney, CCPD director.
Other events, listed by day, will include:
– Friday: At 7 p.m., the National Pan-Hellenic Council will present probates in Dent. A pool party will follow in Dent at 10 p.m.
– Saturday: A crawfish boil at 3 p.m. will include games, vendors and food in the Student Union parking lot.
– Sunday: The HBCU All-Star basketball game is set for noon at the UNO Lakefront Arena. Students will be admitted free with ID.
– Monday: “Shook Ones Pt. II: New Member Monday” will be held at noon on Kabacoff Plaza, followed by skate night at 9 p.m. at the Airline Skate Center at 9 p.m. (Pre-registration is required.)
– Tuesday: Three events are scheduled for Tuesday, starting with “Red Light, Green Light” Block Tuesday at 11 a.m. on Kearny Terrace. A pep rally, “Are You Hype?,” will be held at 6 p.m. in Dent Hall prior to the intramural basketball game pitting DU against SUNO.
– Wednesday: DU will participate at 6 p.m. in the annual “Take Back the Night” event, a walk to heighten awareness of sexual violence and to empower survivors at the Loyola University Horseshoe. (Shuttles will leave DU at 5:30 p.m.). A fashion show, “Enchanted Forest,” will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Kabacoff Plaza, followed by a “Midnight Breakfast” that actually is scheduled for 9:30 p.m. in Kearny.
– Thursday, April 7: Students will compete in a lip-syncing event, “Fake the Funk,” at 7 p.m., in Dent Hall. An after-party, “The Gift of Gentilly,” will be held at 10 p.m. on Kabacoff Plaza.