Anyone who happened to plan their weekend around the new building festivities might have wandered over to the Armory Saturday afternoon looking for the “Campaign Kick-Off Communiversity Event” listed on the schedule. The description of this event on the website made it seem interesting. It promised “interactive displays showcasing the priorities of The Rensselaer Plan” and “music, balloons, clowns, [and] face painting.” Basically a repeat of the Communiversity Event August 27 on the waterfront but inside, right? Not exactly. There were two clowns that wandered around making balloon hats and a small popcorn machine that sat hiding in the corner of the room. That was the extent of the carnival.
The Armory was decorated beautifully. It was easy to imagine ladies and gentlemen dressed in evening gowns and tuxedoes seated in the silver chairs at each table the evening before for the Black Tie Gala. The black drapes that separated the middle of the basketball court from the bleachers and gymnasium walls added to the formal atmosphere as well as the large rotating “Renaissance at Rensselaer” cube that was positioned in the center of the room. Not a place that should house “music, balloons, clowns, [and] face painting.”
There were many showcases set up, however, with knowledgeable people around to answer questions about the showcases. Each science that has something to do with the new building was displayed, as well as NRB and eMPAC, which had its own small snail-like structure—“The Media Dome”—that interested parties had to walk into in order to see the display.
There were free cookies and water provided, which were good sugar pick-me-ups for the Rensselaer Medal Award winners that were exploring the campus. There was no reason for current students to stop in, however.
Overall the “Campaign Kick-Off Communiversity Event” was a great way to showcase the science programs that are being enhanced by the new building to the metal winners, but not exactly what you would call a carnival bringing the community and RPI together.
