On the evening of Oct. 16, Francis Marion University’s campus came to life as students, faculty and staff members filed into Lot H—just across from the Grille—for the Fall Fest. Hosted collaboratively between the Student Government Association (SGA) and the Campus Activities Board (CAB), the event offered a lively mix of food, music and games, creating a vibrant atmosphere of autumn fun.
The festival had been “in the works for about two months,” according to Isaiah Davis, the president of SGA. The preparation clearly paid off, as attendance was strong, and students lingered well into the night enjoying the entertainment and sense of connection. “We really wanted to create a homey feel,” Davis said. “Not everyone has easy transportation or lives nearby, so we wanted to make it easy for everyone to come out and have a good time together.”
That goal was echoed by advisor to SGA and student life specialist for student engagement, Evelyn Prosser, who emphasized the event’s role in strengthening campus bonds. “We love how much students are involved,” Prosser said. “Events like this help foster a sense of community. It’s great to see everyone—Greek life, clubs and commuters—all come together in one space.”
Beginning at 7 p.m., student organizations turned out in full force to support the event. Sororities and fraternities including Alpha Delta Pi, Alpha Kappa Alpha, Tau Kappa Epsilon and Pi Kappa Alpha set up tables to promote upcoming events and recruit new members. Clubs like Swamp Fox Go and the YGB Choir also participated, adding to the diverse mix of student representation across campus life. Each of the organizations occupied one of the many colorful tents lining the lot, handing out a variety of treats, giving the students the feel of trick-or-treating. Some of the organizations even had games set up, such as apple bobbing and dart throwing.
Students were also encouraged to dress up for the event, and many delivered. Costumes included anime characters, Star Wars characters and even characters from Greek mythology.
Live music performances were a highlight of the evening, with guitarist Kirk Thurmond playing a few songs, and a DJ encouraging students to dance. Students were big fans of the performances, many of them dancing and singing along to popular line dances.
Long lines also gathered at the two food trucks present at the event—George’s Funnel Cake and Mama D’s Coffee and Ice Cream. Students sat at the provided tables and shared laughs over funnel cakes, fried Oreos and ice cream.
By the end of the evening, the festival had transformed Lot H into a vibrant hub of student life. From the cheerful sounds of conversating students, to the friendly competition of the games, the Fall Festival embodied what the community of Francis Marion University strives for: connection, inclusion and celebration.
As autumn settles in and the semester continues, the festival served as a reminder to students that college isn’t just about classes, but also about building memories and community. Judging by the smiles and the strong sense of community, this year’s Fall Festival did exactly that.
Students are advised to acknowledge that FMU Fall Fest is an annually scheduled event. The community at FMU looks forward to future fall festivities. Prosser, organizer of the event, is reachable via email for more information.