Patriot Palooza kicks off fall semester

Students wait in line outside of the Hudnall-Pirtle-Roosth Building for the Back to School BBQ Bash. Stanley’s Famous Pit Bar-B-Q catered the event. Freshman Kavoicia Rockwell, left, said he waited about 15 minutes in line for barbecue. Photo by Kamren Thompson.

The Campus Activities Board provided students with free food and Inflatable games by Harvey Lake on Wednesday as a part of Patriot Palooza.

The weeklong event held to welcome new students to the University began Aug. 23 and is scheduled to continue through Aug. 27.

The Campus Activities Board along with other University organizations, coordinate events to introduce freshmen and transfer students to the University and get them involved in campus life.

“[Patriot Palooza] does a great job getting everyone together, especially new freshmen,” senior Salem Washmon said. “There are several more events this week I’ve seen on the CAB Facebook page that I want to go to.”

CAB plans to have information tables by Harvey Lake from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday. The library will provide information tables to give new students general information about the campus including building and class locations.

Two recreational sports events will also be held Thursday to inform students about recreational sports on campus.

Nic Pencis, owner of Stanley’s Famous Pit Bar-B-Q, serves Bar-B-Q alongside Kaitlin Marshall, junior and pre-nursing major, at the Patriot Palooza Back to School BBQ Bash. Photo by Kamren Thompson.

The first is planned from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the Patriot Center and a second is planned to be from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at University Pines.

The CAB Water Balloon Twist and Capture the Flag will take place from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday on the intramural field.

The last Patriot Palooza event this week will be the Student Government Association Welcome Back Pool Party from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday. It will take place at the pool located outside the Herrington Patriot Center.

CAB canceled the Student Organization Leadership Retreat due to budget constraints. Jennifer Skinner, student development specialist, said it may be rescheduled in the spring.

“We’ve had a really good turnout to the events that we’ve had so far,” Skinner said. “We have a great group of really enthusiast students. I think it will be a great year.”

Patriot Palooza has coordinated a number of events this week including two CAB Movie Nights, CAB Comedy Night, a student organization showcase called Swoopstation, the Back to School BBQ Bash with inflatable games and the Ice Cream-a-Palooza with Greek Life and Career Services.

University students ate Stanley’s Famous Pit Bar-B-Q outside of the Hudnall-Pirtle-Roosth Building Wednesday as part of Patriot Palooza provided by the Campus Activities Board.

Stanley’s Famous Pit Bar-B-Q catered the Back to School BBQ Bash, that fed about 400 students.

“We are here at least three times a year,” Nic Pencis, Owner of Stanley’s Famous Pit Bar-B-Q, said. “I love to be here. It’s great to get a feel for what people this age are doing and into.”

More information and updates on Patriot Palooza will be provided at www.patriottalon.com throughout the week.