Otterbein's First Friday Festival caps the first week of classes with a gathering of student and community organizations in the Campus Center.
The annual event hosts tables from Otterbein student organizations and from businesses around the Westerville community. In addition to informational pamphlets and presentations, the event often includes food, mingling, free goods, and prizes.
Colette Masterson, the associate director for the Center for Student Involvement, said students can expect more vendors from around the community this year in addition to Otterbein's student organizations.
"We encourage all students on campus, not just first years, to find at least one thing outside of the classroom to get involved in to help them network, meet new friends, develop leadership skills, and get to know new people," Masterson said. "It's a really great opportunity."
First years are excited to see what the festival has to offer.
"I'm going to First Friday to see what this school is really about," said Rachel Wilson, a freshman zoo conservation major. "I want to know what gets the people here excited about living at Otterbein."
Upperclassmen reflect on the event as a stepping stone in their Otterbein experience.
Noah Richelsen, a sophomore English literary studies major, said that First Friday is a great way to find out how to get involved with both Otterbein organizations and with the Westerville community as a whole. "Sometimes if you're lucky, you find something you'll be involved with for the rest of your time here," he said.
The First Friday Festival will be held at the Campus Center from 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m this Friday, Aug. 28.
Follow us on Twitter @Otterbein360 for coverage of the event.
