"Get Interactive With Us!" was the invitation
issued to the Marshall Community as the Office of Student Activities and
Greek Affairs and the 
Campus Entertainment Unlimited presented
the annual SpringFest. Students, faculty, and staff were encouraged to roll
up their sleeves and "Get Interactive!" All of the activities
planned for the week-long event were designed to maximize student participation
and interaction. All of the events were free and open to the students. (You
can follow the links to see additional photos of these events.)
On Monday, April 14, the campus kicked off the week with a free concert for the campus. The Verve Pipe, a hot alternative band based out of Michigan. Fresh from their appearances on the Jenny McCarthy Show on MTV and Late Night with David Letterman, The Verve Pipe put on a show!! Opening for The Verve Pipe was another alternative band, Thin Lizard Dawn, a fresh group with an "alternarock" sound. The crowd went nuts for the bands and moshed their brains out all night long!
On Tuesday, a great day of fun and excitement
was at hand as the Interactive Games were set
up on Buskirk Field
. Everyone could take the challenge with various contests
and games. Students could suit up in Velcro and jump on the Velcro Wall
or take the stick and "try" to race to the finish line with the
Bungee Run. The Gladiator Joust was a kick as students mounted a padded
pedestal and proceeded to wallop the "dickens" out of each other..all
under the protection of padded head gear and a nice soft mat to land on.
Other competitors were not as lucky as they entered the Bouncy Boxing Ring.
In the ring, fighters donning headgear, could bounce and box with huge,
oversized boxing gloves. People were pummeled, but no injuries occurred
thanks to the soft nature of the boxing gloves. The Human Fooseball was
a big attraction for folks as they strapped in and took sides in a game
where the humans were IN the Fooseball game. 
Participants
also had the chance to enjoy hot dogs and drinks as they watched the fun
and games. After a long semester of work and study, this was the perfect
stress-buster and rejuvenator for finals.
Wednesday was a "virtual" delight as
"Virtual Reality" machines allowed
students to experience cyberspace first hand. One could only chuckle while
watching their friends weave and wave as they maneuvered through mazes and
virtual battles while standing or sitting in the machine. Students could
explore their imaginations with the stereoscopic 3D adventure. "Virtual
Reality" replaces your view of the world with computer generated sights
and sounds. Virtuality creates cyberspace, a new and unlimited fantasy dimension
with quadraphonic sound and full color, 3D environment. Kramer International's
"Virtual Reality" has been seen on CNN, MTV, Nightline, 20/20,
Donahue, and Letterman (to name a few).
Back by popular demand on Thursday was "Fun
Flicks." It is America's most popular video attraction featuring
85,000 special effects, costumes and props. One could embark on a number
of adventures including soaring like superman, hogging the road on a radical
chopper, water-skiing like a pro, or gun fighting in the old West. Everyone
had the opportunity to make their own MTV style video while everyone in
the Student Center cafeteria watched and encouraged them. Everyone from
Sonny and Cher, the Go-Go's, Garth, and the Wu-Tang performed for the chanting
crowd. Some said it was just like having the real artist there (sic)!! After
making a video (or if you just couldn't muster to gumption to make a total
fool of yourself in front of everyone), people who have transforming photos
made of themselves. Through the magic of computers and special effects software,
a shy, quite lady could become a bikini babe. Guys could be made to look
like Mr. Olympia. Others could have their face juxtaposed onto the 
body of someone playing hoops with Michael or shaking hands the
president. Countless photos were available for people to become someone
they'd dreamed of being or at least doing something they'd dreamed of doing.
A special thanks to Marriott for allowing the Student Activities Office
to set up the event in the cafeteria.
While the students in the cafeteria rocked, rolled, and hip-hopped, and snapped fake photos, the students in the Student Center Lobby were given a one way ticket through the 60's as Danny McCarthy led the musical tour. Students could sing along to "Carolina on my mind," "Under the boardwalk," "Will you still love me tomorrow," and "Brown eyed girl."
The week was capped off with the Student Leadership Awards banquet. Student leaders were recognized and honored at the 20th Annual Student Leadership Awards. Awards were given were Leader/Scholar Award, Outstanding Leadership, Outstanding Contributions to MU, Outstanding Sophomore, Junior and Senior, Multicultural Programming Award. The recipients of Who's Who in American Colleges and University's were recognized.