Project PULL (Promoting Unity Through Leadership and Learning) and the Black Student Union (BSU) celebrated the beginning of a new academic year with the conjoined “Let’s Get it Started” and Labor Day Kick-off event.

The student run event was held on the War Memorial Student Union park on Wednesday, Aug. 31 and hosted organizations and students alike. Students could freely socialize at the event in addition to enjoying free food, music and games.

“The BSU usually has the Labor Day Kick-off event, this is the first year both events have been held together,” said Braylen Hamilton, president of BSU. Normally, MISA holds the Let’s Get it Started event while the BSU holds the Labor Day Kick-off event.

According to Hamilton, Let’s Get it Started and Labor Day Kickoff are back-to-school events where students can socialize with friends and meet new people.

In addition to providing students an opportunity to socialize with their peers, students had the opportunity to interact with a number of different organizations at the event. The organizations present included both sororities and fraternities in addition to the campus branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).

“The event gives us a chance to promote our events and publicize our organization,” said Maria Richardson, a member of Delta Sigma Theta sorority and junior social work major, when asked about how the event helps her sorority.

Students played games including volleyball, water balloon hot potato and water pong. Additionally, students were treated to free pizza and soft drinks.

“I came for the free food and the socializing,” said Tyron Tatum, a freshman majoring in social studies education.  “I think they were very successful in getting people out.”

Students spent time walking through organizational booths and interacting with members of each organization. The organizations and members of the BSU were both pleased with the student turnout at the event.

“I think the turnout was pretty good,” said Hamilton. “We try to plan games to get people to come.”

Although satisfied with the turnout, Hamilton stated that next year she would like to promote the event more so that a greater number of students will know about it. Additionally, she said the BSU was in the process of creating new events for next year.

Those looking to attend this event next year or get involved with one of the host organizations can find additional information on the Multicultural International Student Association (MISA) Web page and the BSU organization Web page on the Southeastern Web site.