On the evening of Wednesday, October 12, Samford’s SGA came together to host their first annual “Fall Kick-Off” on Ben Brown.
“It’s super exciting, because this is actually the first annual Fall Kick-Off ever in Samford’s history,” said Liz Cowden, the SGA’s Vice President for Events. “We’re super excited to start this SGA event. It’s just kind of a time of fellowship, to get students to come out, spend some time together.”
“We did a lot of good work. We didn’t spend too much money, but the biggest thing is that we just want to make sure that we can get the greatest environment for students,” said SGA President James Jefferson. “So that was the biggest part of the planning: how can we make students feel the best, and how can we make this a memorable experience?”
The evening was designed to bring students together as the autumn season arrives on campus, taking a break from their studies to enjoy some relaxing fall-themed activities.
The event comes after a recent separation of sorts between the SGA and Samford’s events team in the Office of Student Leadership and Involvement.
“So for the past couple of years we’ve been going through a transition period between our events team over in the Office of Student Leadership and Involvement, and this year’s Student Activities,” Jefferson explained. “And so Student Activities is solely SGA. And so it used to all be conjoined, but now it’s completely separate.”
In the past, similar events had been organized by the events team at the Office of Student Leadership and Involvement. However, the festivities for this year were created solely by the Student Activities Council, a branch of the SGA.
“Student Activities Council is actually, it’s kind of hand-to-hand with my role. So I serve as Vice President for Events, which also means that I’m the president of the Student Activities Council, which is super, super fun,” Cowden explained. “But SAC is the abbreviation for it, and it is actually a branch of the Student Government Association. So [it’s] super fun to be able to serve on SGA’s exec board, and also serve SAC as their president, and kind of be that liaison between the SAC and the overarching SGA. So SAC is putting this event on, but overall it’s an SGA-led event, if that makes sense.”
Despite the shifts and changes, the kick-off nevertheless delivered a festive night of fun for students to remember as the weather begins to cool and the leaves begin to fall.
“So we came out tonight, and it’s been a great time just hanging out with everybody,” said Camron Glover, Freshman Class President. “[We’ve] got some great music, some lights. Just kicking off the fall, just getting us ready to close out the school year well, [and] just enjoying everybody. Samford’s known for its community, and we’re just really getting to do that tonight.”
Jefferson pointed out at the crowds gathered across the plaza with excitement. “Look at that- look at the atmosphere right now. There are so many folks of all different majors, all different classes,” he said. “We’ve got a fire pit out here, smores, ghrame crackers, apple cider, candle and pumpkin painting. I’m going to go paint a pumpkin here in a little bit myself. And so, a little bit of everything. I’d simply describe it as a party here on Ben Brown. There’s a lot of folks here, and we’re just excited, and so I think it’s a good night.”
“We’re just super excited that we got to start something new this year, so we really hope that it sticks and it keeps going in years to come,” added Cowden.
Samford’s SGA has many other events planned for the coming months, so be on the lookout for more in the near future.
Contributing Writer
