By Noah Heiing
BLUFFTON, Ohio— Bluffton University students are preparing for the second annual Casino Night, held on Saturday, Feb. 3 from 8 p.m. until midnight at the Bluffton Golf Course. This event offers students a chance to dress formal, dance, consume alcohol for students that are over the age of 21 and play casino games such as blackjack, poker and roulette.
“Casino Night brings vibrancy to campus,” said Elizabeth Rockwell, coordinator of student engagement. “Being off campus and doing something fun like Casino Night are the memories of Bluffton that students are going to remember forever.”
Based on the popularity of this event last year, new aspects are being added this year, according to Rockwell. A heated tent where all the casino games will be something new this year. This will allow students more room inside the clubhouse to dance and for the students playing the games a quieter environment to focus. By winning the casino games, students will win chips. The chips will give students an opportunity to be entered in drawings for raffle baskets sponsored by various student organizations.
Another new aspect this year is a theme, “Masquerade.” Students are encouraged by the Casino Night Planning Committee to wear their best masquerade masks.
Students are very excited for the opportunity to dress up and enjoy a evening off campus.
“Casino Night is important because it brings everyone together, friends, faculty and staff for a formal event,” said Jackson Clark, junior business administration and marketing major. “I am most excited to dance with my friends and dress up because we don’t get to dress up very often.”
Prior to Casino Night, there are several events to prepare students for the festivities of the evening. At 8 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 1 in Bob’s Place, the Casino Night Planning Committee, which consists of representatives from Student Senate and the Office of Student Engagement, will host Thursday Night Spotlight. The event will teach students how to play games that will be played at Casino Night. On Friday, Feb. 2, Marbeck Activities Council will host a mask-making event.
“Casino Night is an event that brings the campus community together,” said Madisyn Sheppard, junior social work major. “It seemed like almost everyone on campus came to Casino Night last year, and it gives you a chance to connect with more of the students and professors on campus.”
Casino Night is sponsored by Student Senate and the Office of Student Engagement. To purchase tickets for Casino Night, students can go to the hometown tickets app. Any questions about the event, can directed to Elizabeth Rockwell.
