April 27, 2007
More than 2,000 students descended on the Great Lawn of the
Queens campus during the St. John’s Spring Fling celebration last
Saturday, making this year’s annual event the most attended in
University history.
Photo
Gallery
Under sunny skies, students congregated on the lawn and enjoyed
a carnival-like atmosphere that included a Ferris wheel, Jumbo
Slide, “Super Swing,” DJ booth, customized T-shirt station and many
food and prize-giveaway tables.
“It was the finale to the year’s programming … a way to thank
the student population for supporting events throughout the year,”
said Damien Duchamp, Director of Campus Activities.
The celebration is sponsored each year by the Student
Programming Board and Residence Hall Association, with the support
of the Office of Campus Activities.
Spring Fling was the capstone event of a weeklong Spring Week
celebration on the Queens campus, which featured a variety of
musical acts. Featured performances included the second annual
“Just Press Play” concert, headlined by R&B standout Ciara, and
the first annual “Black Music Fest,” featuring hip-hop artist
Ne-Yo. Both concerts were staged in Carnesecca Arena in front of
particularly large crowds.
Commenting on “Just Press Play,” Mark Thomas, a member of the
concert committee, said he was very pleased with the show, which
also featured rock bands Boys Like Girls and Hello Goodbye. “It was
packed with energy and surprises, there was a great mix of talents
and the performances were exceptional,” said Thomas, a senior
advertising-communication major from Brooklyn.
The “Black Music Fest,” sponsored by Haraya, the University’s
pan-African student coalition, drew more than 3,000 fans. A portion
of the concert proceeds went to a fund dedicated to ending the
violence in the Darfur region of Sudan.
“We set the bar high for next year,” said Duchamp, noting that
students were able to mingle with the artists after the
performances. “We’re really happy to bring in the top level of
entertainment. This was arguably one of the best if not the best
musical lineups in the country.”
Other events staged during the weeklong spring celebration
included a lip-syncing extravaganza, hosted by Greek Life and
attracting nearly 1,000 participants, and “Stylistique,” a fashion
show sponsored by the St. John’s Fashion Club. The fashion show
drew 200 guests and raised money for U.N.I.C.E.F.