Article and Photos by Sangita Akter.
The new semester at St. Cloud State University kicked off with a splash of color, sand and sunshine vibes at the “Welcome Back to Paradise” event, held this Thursday at 11 a.m. in the Atwood Ballroom. Organized by the Department of Campus Involvement (DCI), the event transformed the ballroom into a beach-themed oasis where students could relax, create and reconnect after semester break.
From the moment students walked in, they were greeted with tropical decorations and a variety of hands-on activities. Tables were set up around the room for Seashell decorating, sand art, sea glass calligraphy and an “ultimate wave” photo station. Fresh fruit snacks added to the “paradise” theme, giving students a refreshing break between classes.
Among the different stations, sand art and sea glass calligraphy quickly became the most popular. At the sand art table, students layered brightly colored sand into small containers to make personalized keychains and keepsakes. Many took their time choosing colors and patterns that reflected their personality.
Right next to it, the sea glass calligraphy station invited students to write their names or short messages on smooth pieces of sea glass. Using paint markers, they carefully decorated the glass, turning each piece into a small piece of art they could take home or
gift to a friend.
Kankolongo, a Huskies Events and Activities Coordinator with the Department of Campus Involvement, said hands-on creative activities were a major draw.
“Students really loved the interactive stations,” Kankolongo said. “The sand art and sea glass calligraphy were the most popular. Those tables stayed busy the whole time because students could be creative, relax, and take something meaningful home with them.”
Kankolongo also noted that the beach theme helped students feel more at ease as they adjusted back to campus life.
“It’s the start of a new semester, and for many students it can be stressful,” Kankolongo added. “We wanted to create a fun, welcoming space where they could de-stress, meet new people, and feel like they’re part of the Huskies community again.”
For first-year and transfer students, it was a chance to get comfortable in the Atwood Memorial Center and see how active campus life can be at St. Cloud State University. The welcoming environment, free activities, and friendly staff helped break the ice and make the campus feel a little more like home.
‘Welcome Back to Paradise’ successfully brought together creativity, relaxation and community setting a positive tone for the rest of the semester.
As Huskies head into the busy weeks ahead, the memory of that bright, beachy afternoon in the Atwood Ballroom is a reminder that there’s always space on campus to pause, create and connect.
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