The incoming Class of 2011 will be greeted by a variety show put out by many major groups on campus. Garret Marques, a sophomore political science major who will be helping to lead the effort of student-led performances, said it’s going to be “like ‘Night at the Student Center’ on steroids.”
The show, hosted by the Latin American Student Organization (LASO), is intended as a way to showcase the university’s student life and promote freshman involvement.
Marques said the show’s performances are decided by the individual student groups, but that spectators should “expect some music and expect some crazy acts.”
Set for Sept. 8, the event, billed as “THIS IS NU – Huskies Gone Wild,” will begin with a series of outdoor activities, including food, music and a tailgate party, and move onto four stages inside the Curry Student Center.
Leading the effort is outgoing LASO President Sergio Marrero, who said he is seeking to combine students and student groups into an event encouraging unity and involvement.
Marrero said the main focus of the event will be the variety show.
“The show will be the core of the event, with a student focus and student acts, whether it be NU ‘ Improv’d, athletics, pep band or video clips that students have made,” he said. “It will be centered around the theme of ‘This is NU’ and have a wide representation of the campus.”
This is his first shot at running a variety show, and Marrero said he is motivated by his roles as both a student leader and a senior.
“I’m taking on a different role, giving back to the organization and to the campus,” he said.
He has also encouraged participation from other student groups.
“LASO was trying to get together a big event, and we were asked to be one of the groups to perform and program,” said Peter Karpathakis, co-chair of the Northeastern University Bisexual, Lesbian and Gay Association (NUBiLAGA).
NUBiLAGA’s executive board will perform a skit that Karpathakis said will be entertaining as well as educational, demonstrating the process of how a student can join the group.
The Great White Way, a student group that specializes in musical theatre, will perform a song fromAvenue Q called, “I Wish I Could Go Back to College.”
David Wright, president of musical product group The Great White Way, encouraged other groups to take part in the variety show.
“It’s a great idea for any student group to be involved. I hope most of them will be,” Wright said.
Adam Skelskie, president of the Northeastern University Pep Band, said the group will perform at different locations around campus during the event, a move he hopes will pay off with increased membership.
“It will get a lot of students involved and aware of the groups out there,” Skelskie said. “A lot of the problem with freshmen not joining groups is in not knowing about them.”
From what he has heard about the show so far, Vice President for Student Affairs Ed Klotzbier said it sounds like “a real home run for incoming students.”
“What I like most about it is that it would be our students welcoming the new students at a large-scale event, where many student organizations would be given an opportunity, in a way, to explain what they do, explain what student life is like at Northeastern,” Klotzbier said.
While many student groups have been responsive, Marrero said the cooperation and timing of the event’s planning has raised some concerns.
“Some student groups and students aren’t used to working together on such an extreme level. When we reach out, some groups are hesitant,” he said. “Also, it is the summertime, so a lot of groups aren’t active.”
The Student Government Association (SGA) has helped with programming, supporting and planning the variety show.
George Gottschalk IV, executive vice president-elect for student affairs, has served as the SGA’s representative in the planning process.
Although SGA will not be performing at the event, Gottschalk said he will be joined by other officers during its execution.
“The goal is to bring all aspects of students and student life together, to showcase ourselves and celebrate the upcoming year,” Marrero said. “It’s also a good way to build unity among the campus in general.”
