By Seth Culp-Ressler | Features Editor
While it may not feel like the season ever even started, as of yesterday, yet another winter break has been relegated to the history books. Classes are back in full swing, and the multitudes of events to be found around campus are back as well. From milkshake nights to comedians to ping pong tournaments, the schedule is as diverse and rich as ever, and with this handy guide hanging on your bulletin board or tucked away in a desk drawer, there’s no excuse not to participate. The Duke’s New Year’s resolution is for campus to do just that. Don’t disappoint us.
January
The first date to note on the calendar, Jan. 23, will mark the first of the Outdoor Adventure Series outings put together by the Duquesne Program Council. This one will be a trip to Seven Springs for a day of skiing and snowboarding. Get on the list as soon as you can; it may be one of the only chances to see some snow this season.
A few days later on Jan. 28 will be yet another DPC event, a karaoke night down at the Red Ring. Warm up those pipes and get ready to impress.
The last day of January will see the first day of Founder’s Week, an annual celebration of Duquesne’s Spiritan founders. Spanning Jan. 31 to Feb. 6, presentations, dinners and talks will be held throughout the week.
February
If January was leaving space for people to get their routines in order, February is assuming your new-found schedule has plenty of open space.
The first event of the month will be the ever-popular DPC Red Ring trivia night on Feb. 4. On the same day will be the premiere of the Red Masquer’s production of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” The show will run for three weeks: Feb. 4 to 7, 11 to 14 and 18 to 21.
DPC has two Outdoor Adventure Series trips in February, the first on Feb. 6 with a hiking and hot chocolate excursion in Riverview Park and the second on Feb. 21 with some snowshoeing.
Beginning on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 10, and continuing every Friday until Easter afterwards, will be Phi Kappa Theta’s annual Lenten Fish Fry. All proceeds will go to the Children’s Miracle Network.
Also on Feb. 10 is the Spring Job & Internship Fair. If you’re looking for a way to spend your summer, or maybe something more long-term, stop by and start networking.
Feb. 11 will be the first of the semester’s two DPC-sponsored Band of the month performances at the Red Ring. The second will be held on Mar. 11.
To close out the month with a bang (and a laugh) be sure to attend a performance by comedian Brooks Wheelan on Feb. 18. Having been on “Saturday Night Live,” “Conan,” “Late Night with Seth Meyers,” MTV’s “Ridiculousness” and more, Wheelan’s show is a surefire way to forget all the stresses of schoolwork – if only for an evening.
March
The Red Masquer’s second, comedic-minded show of the semester will be “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.” It’ll run for two weeks – Mar. 10 to 12 and 17 to 19 – so make sure to grab a ticket for a showing before it’s too late.
The International Student’s Organization will be holding their annual ISO Night on Mar. 17. Explore other cultures through booths, performances and food, all in the comfort of the Union Ballroom. It always draws a crowd, so don’t be the odd one out.
The Lenten Fish Fry isn’t all Phi Kappa Theta will be organizing this coming semester, as their 7th annual Monte Carlo Night will be held on Mar. 19. As always it will be a night of Vegas-style gaming with plenty of food, entertainment and prizes. Proceeds will benefit the Children’s Miracle Network. Also, semi-formal attire is required, so start your outfit planning now.
Additionally, Mar. 19 will be the month’s Outdoor Adventure Series, an outdoor skills workshop teaching everything from how to tie knots to the best hiking locations in Pittsburgh.
April
April will open up with the Office of Multicultural Affairs’ Unity Banquet on Apr. 1. The banquet’s main focus is fostering dialogue on multicultural and social justice issues.
The next day will kick off an event for all those students involved with Greek life on campus. The annual favorite Greek Week will run from Apr. 2 to 9, and will provide countless opportunities to bond with fellow fraternities and sororities.
DPC will be holding three Outdoor Adventure Series trips in the last full month of the semester: a Homestead history walk on Apr. 3, a service outing on Apr. 17 and a caving exploration trip on Apr. 24.
Colleges Against Cancer will be holding their Relay for Life on Apr. 9 and 10. Get a team together, and get some exercise while supporting a worthy cause.
Apr. 16 will see the 8th annual Run for Ryan, a memorial 5k in honor of Sgt. Ryan Lane, USMC, a Pittsburgh native who gave the ultimate sacrifice while serving in Afghanistan. All proceeds from the run will benefit student veterans in need of financial assistance.
Ongoing Events
In addition to the bevy of unique happenings to be found each month, there are also regularly scheduled events to keep an eye out for throughout the semester.
The Union NiteSpot is always abuzz, with nearly every night boasting an organized activity or event. The Center for Student Involvement plays a large part in that, taking care of Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Tuesdays are hot and spicy as always, with free wings on offer. Wednesdays, depending on the week, play host to either a billiards tournament or a table tennis tournament. Both have gift cards on offer for the winners; so get practicing while you can. Finally, Thursdays are the campus favorite bingo nights, where a little luck could land a big prize.
Taking up the torch for Fridays down in the NiteSpot is DPC with their DUNites. They offer a variety of activities like decorating mugs, making pillows, epic bingo and Build-A-Bear.
DPC will also be holding their regular film series in the NiteSpot on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings. The first screening will be “The Martian” on Jan. 21. Down the line recent hits like “Spectre,” “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 2” and hopefully “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” will also be shown.
On a slightly more serious note, for those wanting to keep up with the politics of campus life, bi-weekly Student Government Association meetings with start up on Jan. 17. All students are welcome, just head over to the law school to join in.
And with that it’s time to wrap up this little Spring 2016 look at Duquesne events. Check some of them out, we promise it’ll be a good time. Oh, and tell them The Duke sent you.
