Students Celebrate Inaugural Scotty Saturday
By Danielle Lehmann
Students started a new Carnegie Mellon University tradition Saturday.
“Scotty Saturday,” a student-created event for students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends, premiered Saturday, Oct. 29, following the Tartans 35-23 Homecoming game victory over Westminster College.
“We are always so proud of Carnegie Mellon at Spring Carnival. Why can’t we have more days devoted to CMU pride and spirit?” asked Elizabeth Rapoport, associate director of Student Activities who organized the student planning committee last semester.
Carnegie Mellon students were excited to answer her question.
“When we first met, we had an in depth discussion about what tradition meant,” said Olivia Cannizzaro, a junior math major on the planning committee. “We went over typical CMU traditions, like painting the fence, and tried to identify what made it something that every student could relate to and engage in.”
Cannizzaro said the committee was determined to make Scotty Saturday unique and exciting, and to create events that would include everyone, including graduate students and their families.
“This is a really cool opportunity for graduate students to advertise their work [outside of their academic departments],” said Daniel Gingerich, a Ph.D. candidate in engineering and public policy and president of the Graduate Student Assembly. “Sometimes our work is less visible to the rest of the campus community.”
Pop-up food stands and a farmer’s market offered culinary treats. Games and activities on the Cut included a 60-foot-long inflatable obstacle course resembling a challenge from the reality TV show “America’s Ninja Warrior.” Other activities mirrored those of the Highland Games, CMU’s annual Scottish Heritage Festival. There was a human version of the Hungry Hippos game.
Student art was displayed and available for purchase along the walkway between Merson Courtyard and the Cut.
Student musicians performed in the Legacy Plaza between the Cohon University Center and West Wing.
“What was so great about being a part of the creation of this event was how organically it really came about,” Rapoport said. “The students were passionate about the opportunity to build a tradition. That isn’t something that happens a lot and they are so passionate about this.”