One of the largest events for the Lipscomb community ended with students scrambling to get to their cars and out of the rain.
The event known as Bid Night is an opportunity to kick off Social Clubs each semester. Usually held in Collins Alumni Auditorium, the event this year was moved onto the intramural fields, and many students were not happy about this transition.
“You couldn’t hear anyone first of all, second it started pouring,” Laura Vento said. “It went by so fast, and no one was paying attention.”
Collins was occupied by an event held by the College of Entertainment and Art’s that featured “American Dad” writer Jordan Blum. This event is one that the George Shinn College brings once a year for students to experience a series of artists and professionals.
The clubs sat on bleachers and brought seats and large blankets to sit and watch their fellow pledges. A few students even brought pool floaties to use as chairs. The rain held off for most of the event, and all of the clubs had an opportunity to introduce themselves.
Sam Smith, dean of student life, came up front to say a prayer for the pledges and social clubs this week right before the rain started to pour. Many students said they felt that the entire ceremony was rushed because of the expectation of the storm.
Other students agreed that it didn’t feel like a community focused event.
“The pledges didn’t take it as seriously out there, and the atmosphere just wasn’t right,” Allie Coffey said.
Tonight is just the beginning of the many events that will be going on during this next week known as “Pledge Week.” Luckily, the clubs will have many opportunities to incorporate tradition rather than change to this upcoming week’s events.
However, some students felt differently about the change of location.
“Honestly, it was a lot of fun,” Sarah Baxley said. “If it were nice in the spring I would have it out there again.”
Carissa Johnson added that she thought it seemed similar to how state schools approach bid day, suggesting that if it were outside in the future, adding some sort of platform or stage would be nice.