Oracle Online

Part of the Fall Fair madness involves students scurrying about the Giddens Learning Center in search of delectable food. Nachos and pizza sticks were popular choices at this year’s Fair, but less conventional choices also drew interest.

First-year Matt Hill dressed as Gandalf the Grey while offering lembas bread to students. The Office of Religious and Spiritual Life table invited students to decorate cookies with frosting in the image of religious symbols.

Curiosity and mandatory attendance for many students created a significant crowd, but food was undoubtedly a draw for many students.

Sophomore James Larson was no exception. “I didn’t stop by Sorin tonight, so I thought this would be a good place to fill up.”

Many groups used flashy attention grabbers to draw in passers-by. Many campus offices, such as the RSLO, used informative and eye-pleasing display panels to attract interest.

The Isaac Asimov FYSEM used daring interactive demonstrations to illustrate principles of science. First-year Cole Scattarelli laid down on a bed of nails as a wooden panel was laid across his chest. A cinder block was lowered on his chest, and a fellow student smashed the cinder block with a sledge hammer. Scattarelli lay motionless for seconds, but soon rose unscathed.

Jonathan “Bojangles” Beauchane demonstrated various experiments for the Physics department booth, while a FYSEM dedicated to the study of money played documentary footage and had an assortment of chocolate coins on display.

Many groups used prizes to encourage participation. Being able to name four Supreme Court Justices would earn students delicious Goldfish crackers and other snacks from the International Journalism table. Being able to identify the ADA acronym as the Americans with Disabilities Act and dating its creation to 1990 earned one lucky student a $25 gift certificate to the Hamline Book Store.

The evening of excitement ended with a drawing for several prizes. Hamline students who successfully answered questions relating to various FYSEM projects were eligible for a free parking pass, early registration, room points, Hamline apparel and other items.