Friday, Sept. 5 marked the fifth annual Eagle Fest at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse as part of the university’s Welcome Week during the first week of classes for the fall semester. Eagle Fest was held from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., where students could visit booths for clubs and student organizations on Badger Street, get something to eat from food trucks outside the Student Union and Wimberly Hall and enjoy live music in Eagle Field.
The Screaming Eagles Marching Band kicked off Eagle Fest with a march to Eagle Field at 3:45 p.m., where they performed until about 4:15 p.m. Afterwards, Associate Director of Student Engagement & Leadership Jacob Hart and Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs Vitaliano Figueroa officially welcomed students to Eagle Fest.
The Racquet Press spoke to students enjoying Eagle Fest and also those who represented different student organizations.
Marshall Dahl, a first-year student walking around Eagle Fest, was excited to get involved with different clubs. “There’s a lot of people everywhere,” said Dahl. “I know we had a Spanish club that I was a part of [in high school] and yearbook…I heard there’s a cheese club, so definitely that.”
Carissa Maske, a fourth-year student, represented the Asian Student Organization (ASO). “We…bring the Asian community together because we’ve faced a lot of hate since COVID,” said Maske. “We do a lot of bonding; we have discussions about what it’s like to be part of the [Asian American Pacific Islander] community.”
Maske continued, “I’ve been looking forward to [Eagle Fest] since last spring. I’ve been planning for it since summer…we’re basing our whole theme for this [organization] this year around self-help, self-care for specifically the Asian community.”
Andrew Peirce, a third-year student exploring Eagle Fest, enjoyed what the event had to offer. “I really like all the engagement that happens on campus here with all the clubs. There’s people, clubs…that I’ll usually never see or think to sign up for or engage with, and it’s just cool that I’m able to…take a look at everything.”
Alexandra Staver and Liv Sinshack represented UWL’s chapter of Sigma Tau Delta, an English honor society and English club. “A very social thing, that’s just English club…anyone can join, [you] don’t even have to be an [English] major or minor,” said Staver. “Anyone can stop by.”
“Everything is English centered as far as our social activities go, the things that we plan, but you yourself don’t have to be into English or enjoy reading or writing,” said Sinshack. “Sometimes it’s nice to just have a break, to hang out.”
Nick Seitz, president of the Pre-Dentistry Club, was at Eagle Fest on behalf of his organization. “Anyone can join…we help students learn more about the dental field and how to apply to dental schools,” said Seitz. “There’s someone in the club that’s an oboe major…and she’s getting into dental school. Any majors can join, it’s pretty cool.”
In addition to all the clubs and organizations, there was an activities tent that included tattoos, a speed sketcher and stuff-a-plush, and there was Drag Queen Bingo on Drake Field. Some of the food trucks available included Taco Broz and Monkey Business.
After the Screaming Eagles Marching Band was finished performing in Eagle Field, live music began at 4:30 p.m. with Bluewater Kings Band, The Astronomers at 6 p.m. and local band Minor Theft at 8 p.m. Eagle Fest concluded at 9 p.m. on the Student Union lawn with a Headphone Disco, where students danced while listening to music on their headphones.
UWL’s Involvement Fair will be held Wednesday, Sept. 10 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the Student Union lawn. Sponsored by The COVE and The Leadership and Involvement Center, there are over 100 student organizations UWL students can join. To explore student engagement opportunities and events, visit the MyOrgs website.
