CIU Today Winter 2016

Columbia International University students took a break from

homework on Oct. 17 to learn the art of the do-si-do and

the promenade. Hundreds of students packed into CIU’s

outdoor pavilion for the annual hoedown, a school-wide event

sponsored by the sophomore class.

“We wanted to provide a relaxed atmosphere where students

could gather together and have an overall fun time, just to be

with other students,” Sophomore Class President Kyle Jones

said.

The event was certainly a fun time: students laughed their way

through square dancing calls, took pictures with friends at a

photo booth, and enjoyed fellowship over good food. The

event came on the heels of a devastating flood in the Columbia

area that forced some faculty and staff from their homes,

prompted the cancelling of classes and caused some very

inconvenient travel off campus because of damaged roads and

bridges.

“Last week was a crazy week after all that happened with the

flood, so the hoedown was a really great time to relax, unwind,

and laugh,” sophomore Heather Hoopes said. “Everybody

seemed to have a great time.”

The sophomore class transformed the pavilion with fall

decorations, including hay bales, a crackling fireplace, and

outdoor Christmas lights. The warm atmosphere allowed

students to enjoy a cool October night with friends.

“I enjoyed the set apart time to come together and have fun,

relax, and build relationships,” Hoopes said.

The event also featured a pumpkin pie eating contest, where

students had one minute to eat as much of a pumpkin pie as

possible. Though it was a heated battle, junior Mitch Gebell

ultimately triumphed with a huge smile and a pie-covered face.

“I really respect the other contestants’ performances, but they

were ‘patchy’ at best,” Gebell joked. “I feel I ‘squashed’ the

competition.”

With midterm exams approaching, Class President Jones said

the timing of the hoedown was perfect.

“It was great to provide students with a break from studying

and just have a fun and relaxed night.”

Hoedown! A New CIU Autumn Tradition

By Melissa McCutchan, CIU Student Writer

A little do-si-do at the CIU pavilion.

CAMPUS LIFE

CIU Today