Life > January 16, 2003

By Allyson Diljohn

Old Gold and Black Reporter

On Jan. 19, an aWake All Night event will take Benson University Center by storm.

Taking place from 10 p.m. until 3 a.m., aWake All Night is the first of its kind to be held on campus.

According to Kathy Arnett, associate director of the Benson University Center and a key organizer of the event, the affair will be a series of fun activities open to all members of the campus community.

The activities planned vary, catering to the interests of sports enthusiasts, movie fans, as well as music lovers and people with interests in between.

“The idea (is) to have enough options for everyone,” said senior Millie Kerr, a planning committee member.

Among the things to do is a 24-foot climbing wall that will be located in the rotunda area of the Benson.

In Benson 401, casino games will be available, including professional black jack, craps, roulette and slot machines. Participants in the casino games will be given chips which will be redeemable for prizes upon the conclusion of event.

Bingo will be in Benson 410 throughout the evening. Prizes will be awarded for the winners of the Bingo games.

An event called “Gold Rush” event will be the only activity held outside of Benson University Center.

Taking place on the Magnolia Quad, the Gold Rush event is will provide another opportunity for students to win prizes. “Find a gold brick, bring it to Benson, and redeem a prize,” Arnett said.

The prizes that will be awarded will vary in size and value. According to Kerr, many gift certificates to places such as the Carmike, Best Buy and local restaurants will be awarded.

Music will be provided by student bands performing throughout the night in Shorty’s. Currently, the duo of sophomores Jim Hamblin and Mark Giese will be performing, as well as sophomore Lauren Hemby. 

Other student groups will also perform.

Karaoke will be held in Benson 401 and, later that night, Unified Rhythms will host a step show in the same room.

During a Pep Rally honoring all fall sports teams, to be held at 11 p.m. in the lounge and lobby, the Pep Band will play. Free cake will be provided for everyone in attendance.

During the night’s events the food court, Pizza Hut and Shorty’s will be open for business.

The food is the only portion of the event that will cost anything for students. Made to order waffles and omelets will be available as well as cotton candy and snow-cones.

According to Kerr, Student Union will be sponsoring the ‘80s movie marathon held in Pugh Auditorium.

Three hits of that decade, 16 Candles, Ghostbusters and Coming to America, will be shown.

The planning committee is comprised of student leaders from Student Government, Student Union, the Howler, GSSA, Panhellenic, Catholic Campus Ministries, Resident Student Association, the Baptist Student Union and Campus Recreation, Arnett said.

Both Arnett and Kerr agreed that they hope to hold events similar to this one in the future if this is successful.

Because the aWake All Night event is a joint event, the expenses will be shared.

The committee has gotten several things donated, including tuxedos for the dealers in the casino; the group also attempted to also get free food but that was not possible, said Arnett.

The idea for aWake All Night came from Arnett, who worked in partnership with a student committee in charge of organizing campus activities.

Arnett had previously “organized late night programming at a previous institution” that was successful and was eager to do the same on this campus after she received positive feedback from the student group.