'MSU Squares' promises to be fun-filled event
What do Michael Brown, James Harris, Margaree Coleman-Carter and SGA
President Jeannette Mammaro have in common? They're all squares. But not
the kind who don't like to have fun. In fact, they are just the opposite.
The four will be joined by five others who have agreed to take a place
in one of nine windows in the upcoming "MSU Squares" event.
A takeoff on the popular television game show, "Hollywood Squares,"
the Montclair State version is sure to have as many laughs and surprises.
The event, to be held April 10 in the Blanton Hall atrium, is the first
sponsored by the MSU Community Partnerships Program. Headed by Louis Anderson
of Student Development and Campus Life, the Community Partnerships Program
was organized this year with the goal of bringing together all members
of the campus community for an event, program or project.
Brown, director of the Educational Opportunity Fund Program, is eager
to take his place on the human tic-tac-toe board. "It's going to
be a good time," he said. "It's a diverse group of people and
the idea for the squares is great. It's going to be a lot of fun interacting
with the students and playing with my colleagues."
Coleman-Carter of Student Development and Campus Life is ready to help
O or X get her square. "I'm excited about this for several reasons,”
she said. "It will give faculty, staff and students the opportunity
to engage in a positive and fun event, and it helps to enhance a sense
of community on campus."
"It is my intention, as well as that of the others involved in this
project with Montclair State University Community Partnerships Program,
that we may make people see how working together can benefit all of us
as a community," said Jeffrey Schonfeld, president of the Golden
Key Honour Society, which has been instrumental in organizing the event.
"Our hope is that in future events we can link with many other organizations,
faculty and staff to make bigger and better events, while at the same
time making students more aware of them."
Harris agrees. "We're trying to create exciting activities in which
the entire campus can participate," he said. "It will be intellectually
challenging as well as fun. I am participating because I want to support
the initiative of holding campus-wide activities. I hope other groups
will sponsor events such as this."
Other squares include the Homecoming King and Queen, Student Government
officers, representatives from the Greek organizations, faculty and staff.
"Participants from various organizations as well as faculty and staff
will have a good time together," Schonfeld said. "It will be
interesting to see how contestants respond to the questions, which will
include some Montclair State trivia."
Mammaro is optimistic about the program's success. " 'MSU Squares'
is a great project because we have all areas of campus life coming together,"
she said. "The student body and the administration are working together
on this project, so I know it’ll be a huge success."
Although the game begins at 7 p.m., Anderson is encouraging students to
come at 5 p.m. to enjoy refreshments, mingle and enjoy live entertainment.
He thinks "MSU Squares" will be the first of many future collaborative
projects. "We hope that with the excitement of this event, people
will be interested in planning other projects," Anderson said.