The Quad

Issue date: 2/11/08 Section: Features

West Chester University held its second Sykes After Dark Speed Dating event Thursday, Feb. 7, at 8 p.m. in the Sykes Ballrooms.

Any students who were interested in dating, professional networking or just interested in meeting some new faces met free of charge in the Sykes Student Union building. Rose petals led covered tables adorned the ballroom, providing a warm, inviting atmosphere for students to mingle freely amongst themselves.

With February being notoriously known for Valentine's Day, this was a great way of allowing students to meet without the usual pressure or awkwardness one often associates with dating or meeting someone for the first time.

The on-campus, student organization Black Men United hosted the event in hopes of encouraging their student peers in branching out socially. Student Andrew Bladdingame, who was in charge of overseeing the evening, felt speed dating had the definite potential of becoming an annual event at WCU.

"When Black Men United first planned Speed dating back in the fall season of 2007, it was just an idea that we knew that had never been done on campus before," Bladdingame said. "This time in spring 2008, Sykes asked us to be a part of this again. It showed that the previous Speed-dating event had been an success."

When asked what his expectations were resulting from the evening, Bladdingame replied, "I would expect that it would be slightly similar to our last event. Nothing extravagant. Just another event."

Bladdingame went on to add, 'This has been nothing like the first event, because it was amazing. A lot of people showed up, and friends were made as well as 'possible relationships'."

For people who may not be initially aware of what the BMU student organization is about, their mission is to culturally and educationally enrich the West Chester Community. They strive to get African American men and women students to become more involved with organizations, as well as their educations while at WCU.

However, important to note that the student organization is open to students of various ethnicities and backgrounds to participate or be involved with events.

Along with on campus communicative tools such as Facebook, Photobucket or the Internet's capabilities events like speed dating provide opportunities for students to exchange professional contact information and also have a date for a Friday night, whichever their druthers.

Continued...

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