Civil engineering junior Jacob Stepp, far left, talks with James Madison freshman Chelcie Gilliard, far right, on Saturday, Feb. 2, 2013, at the International Center during the speed-dating event hosted by the University Activity Board. More than 350 students attended the event, and each of them had three minutes to talk with the partner.
Dressed in a tie, button-down shirt, nice pants and a pocket full of photos of himself with his number written on the back, Alex Meverden jokingly said he was looking for the love of his life during a speed dating event Saturday at the Union.
But the accounting freshman actually was just trying to have a good time with his friends.
“I thought it would be really funny to go to that,” Meverden said. “But I’m not looking for anything, I’m looking to just have fun.”
The annual speed dating event hosted by the University Activities Board, or UAB, gave students a chance to find that special someone just in time for Valentine’s Day.
But many of the 350 students who attended the event Saturday night in the International Center were not in search of a date.
Accounting freshman Kierra Westbrooks attended the event and said she did not think attendees were there to find love.
“Everyone is doing it for the experience,” Westbrooks said. “(It’s) something to do, (and) meet new people.”
Participants spent three minutes with each person and wrote down their name, phone number and checked “yes” or “no” on a paper before the men rotated to the next table.
Students seeking a partner of the same sex were welcomed to the event with reserved tables for participants.
Stephanie Strawska, the UAB arts director and mathematics education junior, said the goal was for the interactions during speed dating to lead to something more.
“I think the majority of people are looking for (that) special someone, but friendships come out of it,” Strawska said.
Neuroscience sophomore Shivani Pandya came to the event with her friends, not looking for a relationship, but for the chance to socialize and meet new people.
“It brings a lot of different people together,” Pandya said. “I hope my friends find dates. I like to see them match make, and (it’s) cute.”
Elementary education sophomore Hannah Schulte also came with friends, including Pandya, not looking for a Valentine, but open to the possibility.
“We’ll just see, (but) that would be pretty sweet,” Schulte said. “It’s definitely a self-esteem thing that you don’t have (a Valentine).”
Support student media! Please consider donating to The State News and help fund the future of journalism.
