Students Rock Around the Clock

ASI Hosts Campus Block Party to Kick Off 50th Celebration

by Debra Cano Ramos

Cal State Fullerton students got the party started Thursday, Sept. 13, and kicked off the yearlong celebration to commemorate the university’s 50th anniversary.

As part of the Associated Students Inc. annual Block Party, “Rock Around the Block Party: Fifties Celebration,” students took part in a picnic and campus celebration, complete with cupcakes and Tuffy Titan.

“We are so proud of Cal State Fullerton and our many accomplishments over the past 50 years, and we wanted to make sure students are a part of our grand celebration,” said Kandy Mink Salas, dean of students.

Heather Williams, ASI president, was pleased with the large turnout of students who crowded the area outside Titan Student Union for the noontime activities.

Our overall goal is to build community and provide outreach and information to students about ASI and the 50th anniversary,” Williams said. “It’s exciting to see so many students come out to help us celebrate.”

The daylong event featured ‘50s-themed activities, including Hula-Hoop and bubble gum blowing contests as well as games such as roll-the-dice and a ‘50s trivia quiz. Keeping with the ‘50s theme, an Elvis look-alike was on hand to pose for photos.

There was a lot of free stuff too: Krispy Kreme doughnuts, cotton candy, snow cones, root beer floats, a hot dog lunch and all-American dinner of fried chicken, potato salad and sundaes. In the evening, free billiards, bowling and the screening of “Spiderman 3” as a drive-in movie experience —1950s-style — concluded the day’s festivities.

Carolina Adamita, administrative director for ASI Productions and a communications major, said the event bolstered camaraderie among students.

“It helped to build the feeling of a university community — and not just a commuter campus.”

Student Mena Habeeb, a communications major, who enjoyed the free food, agreed: “It’s a great way to bring everybody together and unify the campus for the day. It’s also a good way to build up school spirit.”

CSUF’s party continues Saturday at a campuswide open house that features alumni gatherings, activities for children, entertainment, exhibits of historical milestones and the first intercollegiate elephant race of the 21st century. The Mariachi Divas will wrap up the weekend with a Sunday concert in downtown Santa Ana.

A complete schedule of the university’s 50th anniversary events is available at http://www.fullerton.edu/50/events.