On Tuesday, March 25 from 2:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m., Longwood’s 175 committee hosted a birthday party for the Longwood community as another way to celebrate the university’s 175th birthday.
The birthday party took place in the Lankford Student Union and featured music, a balloon artist and a body paint artist, as well as a photo booth station where people got the opportunity to take pictures and then make customized key chains and magnets.
Sophomore Liberal Studies major Adam Fletcher said, “The birthday party was so great, the balloon and body artists were so talented, and I have about four key chains from the photo booth. It was a great event to see everyone out at!” As people came and went from the student union, the birthday party became even more popular as time flew by.
The photo booth was a place where students first took pictures in front of a green screen, and then waited for less than a minute before receiving their photos with a blue and white background on it. After their photos were received, each student would cut it and place it to either a magnet or keychain that had Longwood’s 175 logo on the back.
The balloon and body artist consisted of a husband and wife pairing who were friendly and engaging to people attending the event. Some students left with giant balloon hats and headbands, balloon minions and swords, Rotundas painted on their faces and more excitement for the birthday dinner later that night. With well over a hundred students, faculty and staff there, the event in the student union was another major success and important reminder of Longwood’s progress to 175 years. After the birthday party in the student union, the celebration continued with a big, special birthday dinner at Dorrill Dining Hall (D-Hall).
Fletcher said, “The dinner was phenomenal, D-Hall pulled out all the stops and the food was amazing. I liked how the dining area was decorated to the nine’s all around!”
All last week, March 24 through March 28, Longwood took the chance to finally celebrate its 175th birthday. Past events to celebrate the week were “Joan of Arc - Past, Present, Longwood,” a lecture about Joan of Arc, Longwood’s patron saint, taking a Longwood Human 175 Photo on Wheeler Lawn, a Lancer Pride day, an organization day and a class color day.
Sophomore Communication Sciences and Disorders major Hailey Gilbert said, “All of the events this week were really fun. It was cool that we took the time to celebrate 175 years of Longwood. The people who put this week together did an amazing job.” Fletcher said, “The 175 week was great and it was amazing being part of the human 175 photo, the birthday party and a part of Longwood’s history.”
