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Spirit Weekend doesn’t magically happen. Across campus, ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ students and staff are busy preparing for this signature event.

Getting Students Into the Spirit

Students and staff from the Center for Student Involvement are coordinating a number of activities, said Arianna Livreri, senior assistant director. A Spirit Weekend favorite isÌý. Attendees will receive $500 worth of play money to try their luck at the craps tables, roulette, Texas Hold ‘Em, blackjack, poker, slot machines, bingo and more to try to win prizes like ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ swag, gift cards, electronics and bicycles.

“The Panther Carnival has something for everyone and can’t be missed,” said Livreri, citing, “large-scale carnival rides, live performances featuring ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ students, a DJ and Dancefloor [a live band], barbecue tents and food trucks featuring savory and sweet treats, and activities including caricatures, face painting, a photo booth, fortune-tellers and more.”

“Spirit Weekend is a weekend where I am able to see the ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ community come together as a whole and show their Panther pride,” said Cole Uganiza, a senior majoring in nursing. “Being that this is my last Spirit Weekend as an undergraduate, I am looking forward to enjoying the carnival and activities offered, especially the [Student Activities Board] happening that night in the [Center for Recreation and Sports] gym!”Ìý

Taking the Stage

In the ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Performing Arts Center (ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ PAC), audiences will get to see Pale Blue Dot(s), a new play written by Erin Mallon ’02 and performed by talented theater students. The play is set in a near future in which the International Space Station is staffed by an all-female crew reluctantly hosting a pair of women who won an Elon Musk–sponsored vacation in space. The production also includes, at its more existential moments, cameos by God and David Bowie.

The ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ PAC will also host aÌýÌýand theÌý.

Boosting Panther Pride

Inside the athletics department, Emily Dorko ’13, MBA ’15, associate athletic director for external relations, said, ” We look at Spirit Weekend as another opportunity to welcome back all our athletic alumni and supporters to campus and to reconnect with their teammates. The department encourages our programs to host games so that our alumni come back to a buzzing campus with a lot of different events to also partake in.”

In addition to campus open recreation and open swim onÌý,ÌýÌý²¹²Ô»åÌý, the department is hosting events where alumni of teams can compete against current student-athletes or watch their games.

Schedule of athletics events:

Friday
Women’s lacrosse vs. alumni, 6:00 p.m.
Men’s lacrosse vs. alumni, 7:00 p.m.

Saturday
Swimming alumni meet, 11:00 a.m.
Softball vs. alumni, 12:00 noon
Baseball Fall Ball game, 12:00 noon
Men’s soccer NE10 regular season game, 1:00 p.m.
Women’s soccer NE10 regular season game, 5:00 p.m.

Athletes of all abilities are welcome to participate in theÌý, said Amy Harrison, MA ’93, executive director of special events and engagement in the Office of External Relations. “We are delighted to be partnering with the Long Island Alzheimer’s Foundation in this year’s 5K, who will receive all of the proceeds raised from this event. LIAF is committed to making a positive difference in the lives of those suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and related forms of dementia and their caregivers by providing world-class services and programs.”

The Stars Come Out

Harrison is excited about theÌý, a first this year. Luminaries who worked at ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ’s powerhouse radio station, WBAU, including Doctor Dré fromYo! MTV RapsÌýand sports broadcaster Al Trautwig ’78, ’17 (Hon.), will be sharing and recording their stories for your enjoyment and for posterity.

The red-carpet event of Spirit Weekend is the Legends Dinner. Those honored in the past with the Legends Award includeÌý, founding dean of the Honors College;Ìý, former director of the Department of Dance; bestselling authorÌý; and Olympic gold medalistÌý.

In addition to honoring this year’s ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Legend, beloved sociology professorÌýSal Primeggia ’64, MA ’66, PhD, theÌýthird annual Legends DinnerÌýwill feature the Distinguished Alumni Achievement Awards, the 10 Under 10 Recognition ceremony and the bestowing of the Ruth S. Harley Service Awards. Harrison stated, “What a wonderful tribute to our alumni who have served this institution so admirably and selflessly, some for more than 50 years.”

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