Students who attended the first annual You Make Wash U ceremony on Wednesday evening came away disappointed when the people behind the campaign didn’t reveal themselves.
The You Make Wash U ceremony represents the beginning of an initiative to change the daily life of the campus in fundamental ways. This particular event was the culmination of preceding weeks, during which enigmatic “I Make Wash U ___” signs cropped up throughout the campus. The attendees at the event ranged from students who applied via the website listed on the signs, notable members of the University student body and Bon Appetit employees.
About twenty people convened at around 8:00 p.m. in Holmes Lounge with one thing in common: total bewilderment. Before them stood a bountiful collection of food (none of it kosher for Passover, much to the chagrin of many), but little else. Not one person knew exactly why they were invited to attend, or who had organized the whole affair.
Eventually, the ceremony itself began. The assembled body waited with anticipation to see who would step up to the podium. A familiar yet surprising face greeted them as Richard Poe, Bon App‚tit employee and a regular sight at the Whispers caf‚, came to the front to begin the presentation.
“In recent years, I have become a good friend of a person, who wishes to remain nameless,” began Poe. “He asked that I present the awards.”
The finalists, chosen from the online applicant pool, were recognized for how they felt they affected the community of the University. Ideas ranged from the quirky “I make Wash U spunky” and “I make Wash U better looking than U of Chicago” to the more sober and poignant “I make Wash U nothing.”
When asked, many of those present said they had decided to apply and attend the ceremony out of curiosity.
“Coming into the night, I wasn’t really sure, but…some of the things said, they really made me think about why I’m here,” said senior Barry Cynamon. “One of the reasons I applied was because I didn’t know what it was.”
The air of the congregation was one of optimism as well. After the ceremony had ended, Poe noted this ceremony was only the first of many campus activities to come. He thought that this initial event was very well received by students, especially upon seeing the incredibly positive atmosphere at the close of the ceremony.
“It was a good idea…it’s a way to get your opinion [about the University] out,” said Poe. “It keeps things on a more positive note like this, it gets students interested in what’s going on.”
Sophomore Gina Anderson echoed the sentiments of those present.
“It’s really funny… I’m not even sure why I applied,” said Anderson.
The people behind the initiative have yet to reveal themselves, and their future plans still seem shrouded from the public. After the presentation of awards, the ceremony abruptly ended. Poe remained mum over who exactly started the program, and what would happen next.
The evening ended with all in attendance even more perplexed than when it began, yet with an invigorated attitude towards the student community of the University, and how they each fit into the tapestry of this micro culture.