Southern Utah University’s Non-Traditional Student Services office hosted their spring social event, a Roaring ‘20s themed gala, on Thursday, Mar. 20.
The event featured buffet-style hors d’oeuvres and vintage mocktails such as the “Bees’ Knees” and Shirley Temples followed by an enthusiastic game of Mafia, a classic murder mystery game in which players have to discover their secret killer.
Guests arrived dressed in 1920s fashions like glamorous flapper dresses, long strings of beads and bedazzled top hats, then mixed and mingled at tables decorated with the event’s black and gold color scheme.
“I love dressing up for things like this. It’s my favorite thing to do,” said Cassie Easley, a non-traditional sophomore at SUU. “It’s when I get to go on a date with myself and dress up and be able to have fun with other adults, and it’s just the most amazing thing. I go to every one of these events.”
The Non-Traditional Student Services office supports SUU students who have children, took three or more years off from school, are 25 or older, or who are married, widowed or divorced. 43% of SUU’s students are considered non-traditional and can take full advantage of this office’s services.
“I think most non-traditional students can vouch that it’s really hard to go back to school,” said Linda Hudson, Director of the Non-Traditional Student Services office. “Technology has changed, people have changed and so the environment may feel unfamiliar. Going to school with a lot of younger students when you’re much older than them feels sometimes awkward, so we’re trying to break that barrier. You do belong here.”
Hudson was a non-traditional student herself when she attended SUU after having a child, a divorce and a 20-year break from school. Facing so many challenges trying to fit in as a college student, it was important to her to find a sense of belonging at SUU. She now hopes that the work her office does can continue inspiring other non-traditional students to persevere in their dreams as well.
“Once a year we also make sure to offer an event like tonight with free childcare so our student parents will have an opportunity to bring a friend or spouse and have an evening out,” Hudson said. “Family-friendly events like this aren’t always available on campus so this event is super special for those that come and hang out with other students when they may not usually get to do that on campus.”
Peer mentors are available to talk with students on a walk-in basis from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. each school day in the Non-Traditional Student Services’ location in the Sharwan Smith Student Center. The office also features a lobby with desks, computers, a printer, a refrigerator and a microwave that students can use to help their lives at school go more smoothly.
Students interested in becoming more involved with the Non-Traditional Student Services office can visit their website, call the office at 435-865-8760 or email nontrads@suu.edu.
Author: Emily Walters
Photo by Emily Walters
Editor: Heather Turner
life@suunews.net
