EAST LANSING— Michigan State University had its 41st annual UFest Monday night. This event offered a way for students to get a sense of the atmosphere of campus life while engaging in activities such as Skee-Ball and inflatable dodgeball. Local businesses were also in attendance handing out free merchandise.  Students gathered in the surrounding areas of the MSU Union building to partake in these activities.  

The MSU Activities Board hosted the event to both welcome back students and to bring awareness to the opportunities and tools MSU has to offer.

“UFEST has been awesome, being here with my friends it has been a really fun time,” said Matthew Singer, an MSU freshman. “There was a lot of cool stuff to check out, being in the student union was cool – it is a beautiful part of campus.” 

As campus returns to in-person activities, students were excited to be welcomed back.

“We came with expectations but also none at the same time,” said Linus Kachele. “To be honest, we were blown away because although the lines were long it was a great chance to meet people and explore a building none of us have classes in. Despite the trials and tribulations, we managed to have fun and that says a lot about the way this was planned and the community aspect at MSU.” 

Students who attended UFest took this as an opportunity to make friends.

“It is important for events like this to happen because personally I was terrified to come to campus as a freshman, especially sophomores as well who did not get a chance to be on campus either,” Kachele said. “It was a way for us to communicate our needs and what we need from the campus to have fun and learn. It was a way to make friends, get accumulated to the campus and have fun.” 

Although it was one of the first events on campus, it will not be the last and students are eager to jump back in and start the 2021-2022 school year.