The Sharwan Smith Student Center was filled with excited students for Southern Utah University’s annual Casino Night on Saturday, March 16, from 8 p.m. to midnight. This year’s cruise ship-themed evening, hosted by the Student Programming Board, gave students a fun evening in the midst of the spring semester.
Upon entry, students were provided a wrist band that had four removable tabs. Each tab was worth $500 and allowed students to pay their way into the games and win poker chips. These chips were put toward a raffle for an electric scooter, an air fryer and other prizes.
Throughout various locations of the Student Center, there were stations for different games. Students could play craps or poker in the convention center rooms, Black Jack in the Ballroom and bingo in the Sterling R. Church Auditorium. In addition to the games, there was a snack station located in the Living Room and mocktails in the Wing.
“I’ve only played one game, but it’s been a great time,” said attendee Rylan Nuttell. Nuttell is a freshman at SUU, but he has already tried to complete as many SUU traditions as possible and has even earned the Tradition Keeper t-shirt, which is awarded after completing 25 SUU traditions.
“I love SUU events,” Nuttell said. “I haven’t been to all of them, I will admit, but I have been to quite a few of them, and they’ve been fun.”
Paige Iverson, counsel director of diversity, equity and inclusion at SUU, helped run Casino Night this year and enjoyed seeing the amount of student involvement and engagement during the evening. Casino Night is one the most attended events that SUU puts on, and Iverson believes it is an important break for students.
“I think [Casino Night] is one of the events where we let students just kind of let loose,” said Iverson. “It’s nice that it is hosted during the spring semester because students are really worried and stressed about classes. We don’t have as many breaks, so it’s a nice little getaway.”
Casino Night is held every year on the Saturday of Founders Week — a week set aside to celebrate SUU’s founding — and is considered a tradition at SUU. Students arrive dressed nicely and get the opportunity to play casino games without betting their own money.
Iverson encouraged any student interested in being involved in the behind-the-scenes of events like Casino Night to look into the SUUSA elections that are happening right now. From working with marketing to the SPB and even being involved in the Student Senate, there are so many opportunities for students to get involved.
Author: Heather Turner
Photos: Lukas Hassell
Editor: Nick Stein
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