Colorful Connections creates community
By Brielle Engelhardt
MULLER’S Pub served more than its typical burgers, wings and drinks on Sept. 4; students gradually entered The Pub to gain new friends and form bonds. The tables were donned with food and rainbow cards for Colorful Connections — an event aimed for students to connect, discuss and become a part of Rider’s community.
The event began by welcoming students, staff and faculty with free food, icebreaker activities and an opportunity to meet new people in an inviting environment.
Designed to foster inclusivity and encourage meaningful relationships, the event successfully created a comfortable space where people were able to openly engage with others. Conversations sparked as people began to gather around tables and start connecting with one another through various games.
At the start of the event, there was a colorful card game to begin, designed to spark conversations and friendships between students.
Each attendee picked a card, which was one of the colors of the rainbow. Every color had a different question that they could ask others at the event. Attendees were encouraged to find individuals with different colored cards to complete their “rainbow,” getting initials from each person along the way.
Participants were also prompted to find someone with the same color card as them, and collect as many initials from others as possible while asking one another the question on their cards.
The cards later served as raffle tickets in order to be entered to win a $25 Amazon gift card. The event attracted a mix of students from various backgrounds and class years, along with Rider staff members.
Music played in the background as students mingled over food and games, and as the relaxed atmosphere encouraged open conversations that helped break down barriers between different groups.
Leniel Robles, a freshman biology major, was one of the many first-year students who appreciated the relaxed, welcoming atmosphere.
Robles was prompted by the Equal Opportunity Program faculty to attend the event and become more active in schooling events.
“I’m making connections with my teachers, a lot of students,” Robles said. “It makes me feel included, knowing that there’s more people like me on this campus. It makes me feel like I can be myself around others.”
The event also offered a unique opportunity for students to interact with faculty outside of the classroom.
Brooke Hunter, senior associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, said “So far, I am enjoying it, being able to talk to students in an informal setting.”
Hunter emphasized the value of having a wide mix of attendees, from freshman, to upperclassmen, as well as faculty and staff, all gathered in the same space.
“It’s wonderful to see students talking to one another,” she added. “It’s a really nice mixture of people.”
As the evening continued, connections grew across class years, interests and backgrounds. Throughout the evening, students stepped outside of their comfort zones and discover new opportunities on campus.
Terrence Bolton, a graduate student in clinical mental health, brought a welcoming energy to the event, as he engaged with other students. For him, the evening was about more than conversation, but also about growth.
“I find networking to be a beautiful thing,” Bolton said. “It’s a way to find out who you are, to break out of your shell and also to be able to navigate campus life and … find other activities or opportunities.”
