Winterfest Welcomes Students Back to Hawk Hill

Winterfest is coming! As Saint Joseph’s kicks off the new semester, students are invited to attend the University’s Winterfest celebration on Jan. 29 at the Maguire Wolfington lawn beginning at 3 p.m.

“We’re looking for a fun way to welcome the students back safely,” says Megan Azzalina, assistant director of the Office of Student Leadership and Activities. “We want to celebrate the season and give students a chance to have fun outside.”

Student-run programming board Hawk Hill Productions has partnered with the Office of Student Leadership and Activities to bring a number of safe and physically distanced winter-themed activities to campus to start the new semester. Ice skating, curling lanes, T-shirt giveaways and hockey slapshot competitions are just some of the cold-weather games and activities that will be offered. There will also be plenty of food, including a hot chocolate bar, nacho bar, s’mores, Dippin’ Dots ice cream, and French Toast Bites from Food Marketing MBA student Charisse McGill.

Students will also have the opportunity to explore some of the clubs and organizations on campus, many of which are still accepting new members. Since not all student organizations will be in attendance, we’ve previewed several groups here.

• Delta Sigma Pi: A co-ed professional fraternity for business and economics majors, DSP focuses on professionalism, leadership, networking and resume building. This spring, they hope to host a 5K to raise money for charity.
• Villiger Debate: The oldest club on campus, Villiger Debate focuses on competitive public speaking. Competitions have now moved to video conferencing platforms, and the team is still competing.
• Hawkappella: The only co-ed acappella group on campus, Hawkappella members create their own musical arrangements and put on a show at the end of every semester. Since COVID-19 prevented them from singing together this year, they instead found a local music studio that allowed them to take turns recording their music. They plan to put out an EP this spring.
• Sigma Sigma Sigma: One of the five sororities on campus, Tri Sigma emphasizes a sense of community and friendship, while also raising money for charity. Last fall, they were still able to host their annual Run for Robbie fundraiser by making it an event where friends could walk together in heats. This spring, they hope to have a dunk tank at one of their fundraising events.
• Hawk Hill Productions: Open to undergraduates only, this group helps to organize and plan activities on campus – including Winterfest – for Hawk Hil’s weekend warriors. HHP members also use the events they plan as an opportunity to build their resume and skills.

Attendees will also meet organizations like The Hawk, Esports club, Campus Ministry and Sharing Excess at Winterfest, where they’ll learn of a surprise announcement about an upcoming event.

“We’re having a Bachelor virtual watch party on Feb. 8, and there will be a celebrity from Bachelor Nation who will be at our watch party,” says Azzalina. “We’ll announce who the surprise guest is during Winterfest.”

Keep an eye on the University Calendar of Events for future Hawk Hill events, like the Bachelor virtual watch party, Hawks and Kisses, virtual cooking classes and more.