Valparaiso University held it's second annual Communiversity Day on September 3, 2011. Despite a fast moving storm that swept through Valpo, the sun came out for a little while, just in time for fun, food and games.
Heading up the day was a "Rock and Soul" band, said band member Christian Alexander of the band Fathom Blue. Alexander is on drums along with Matt Marco on lead guitar, Mike Signorelli singing lead vocals and on guitar, Luke Tipton on percussion and keyboard with Nate Ramsey on bass.
Those that came out for the Communiversity Day were presented with free VU T-shirts and bandanas. Shirts and bandannas were given out to help promote Communiversity Day.
VU Dining Services presented hungry guests with mouth watering hamburgers, hot dogs, BBQ chicken, baked beans, potato salad, fresh cut watermelon and much much more. Director of Dining Services Anthony Coschignano said "After the rain let up a good crowd came out, we are expecting a couple thousand people."
Tom Wyatt and Christian Zavisca with the Integrated Marketing Department at VU helped to organize the event. Wyatt explained last year was such a success saying, "We decided to do it again and make it an annual event."
Wyatt added, "This is a great way to unite VU and the community." Zavisca stated "It's great to see so many from around the region come to the event . Last year was great and we got to meet a lot of great people. We want to do it bigger and better each year. This will make a great annual tradition each year."
There were several fun activities, such as getting to meet Ronald McDonald, face painting, corn-hole and making stuffed animals. But these were no ordinary stuffed toys, these are Reading Buddies for elementary school students in 84 participating schools.
Athletic Director Mark LaBarbera said "VU has a longstanding tradition of students getting involved. The longest program is with the softball team called Reading Buddies and I Need A Hug" This program was started in 2003 with the girls softball coach Randy Schneider in a partnership with United Way of Porter County.
The Reading Buddies program puts a stuffed animal in the hands of young students. Students read to their buddy for 15 minutes each day and children that didn't enjoy reading before actually come to love books.
Hayley Bridwell plays on the VU softball team and is involved in the program. She said, "There are a lot more schools that want to participate, we just need more buddies for them. It takes only $5.00 to put an animal in a child's hand, we have campus drives and events like this to keep it going." Bridwell commented on how well the program is working by stating, "Tests prove that literacy scores have increased." If you would like to donate, visit United Way of Porter County at unitedwaypc.org/
Sponsoring Communiversity Day was Porter Health System, Culver's and Qdoba Mexican Grill. On hand from Qdoba was Gayle Webb, Catering Coordinator for the Northwest Indiana stores of Qdoba Mexican Grill. Webb said "College students love our food." Webb handed out coupons for a tasty breakfast burrito and stated that they offer catering. Qdoba is located at 2710 LaPorte Ave. in Valparaiso.
Following the Communiversity Day was a Crusader football game playing against Franklin. Opening the game was 8th grade Kouts student Kelly Hershberger singing the National Anthem.