The SGA Explosion drew a crowd of students Wednesday night looking to eat, socialize and network.
The event, a recruitment fair for campus organizations, was sponsored by the Student Government Association. The expo included groups such as the student lobbying department of SGA, the Campus Activity Board, Essence Dance Theater, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., the FAMU chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists and others.
The Explosion also included entertainment: a selection from the FAMU Gospel Choir, a scene from Faces Modeling Troupe, an interpretative dance by sophomore Sheena Demby, and a performance from the band Intensity, featuring a Jill Scott rendition by graduate student Melissa Mitchell.
Event coordinator and senior senator LaJoy Mercer, 21, said she wanted to bring variety to the Explosion this year.
Mercer said the SGA Explosion is imperative for clubs to showcase themselves, and that with the election season in full swing, SGA took the opportunity to register students to vote in Leon County.
Mercer, a business administration student from Nashville, said she organized the event so students could not only gather information on the different groups, they could also enjoy the performances.
“We had a deejay, so while he played the music, people could talk about their organization,” Mercer said. “When the band played, or the choir sang, students could focus on that.”
And some students seemed to find what they were looking for.
“I came to (the event) to find out about SGA and the different programs on campus,” said freshman Jasmine Williams.
The 18-year-old pharmacy student from Tampa said after attending the event, she wants to get involved with the department of student welfare.
Williams said she enjoyed the event because she got the chance to speak with members of the various organizations she was interested in.
Ramon Alexander, a 20-year-old junior and this year’s Senate president, agrees. The political science student from Tallahassee said he attended the Explosion his freshman year, right before fall student elections.
“I got a chance to meet people, network,” said Alexander, who has been a senator since his freshman year. “It’s a great way for freshmen to become aggressive on what’s going on campus.”
The acting Director of Student Lobbying, Lauren Grant, said finding new clubs at the Explosion has a tremendous benefit. Grant, who has been appointed to the director’s position, expects to be confirmed at Monday’s Senate meeting.
“I didn’t even know we had a department of student lobbying until last year,” said the 21-year-old senior business administration student. Grant, from Columbia, S.C., said the event brought the department, and her vote coalition, at least 20 new volunteers.
“We are looking for people with a passion for politics,” Grant said.
Contact Lindsay Pollard at lensay383@yahoo.com.