Mercer University celebrated BearFest, an annual event that showcases global culture, in Penfield Hall and Cruz Plaza on Friday, March 13. The event had food trucks, student organization booths and live performances, among other activities.
BearFest aims to bring the student body together to celebrate its spirit and vibrancy through things like student performances and interactive activities, according to the Joseph M. Hendricks Center for Campus Initiatives and Federal TRIO programs, which partnered to host the event.
Some student organizations included sororities and fraternities programs, the Organization of Black Students, Common Ground, BearSigns and the Dulcimer. TRIO mentors, like Abiola Soboyejo ‘27, helped student organizations and attendees throughout the event.
TRIO programs help first generation students by pairing them with upper classmen peer mentors and transitioning first years to campus early. They help improve persistence, retention and graduation rates of students in their program, according to TRIO Program Executive Director Tracy Artis.
Student Government Association President Alisha Mitchel ‘26 and Vice President Callie Lowery ‘26, who emceed the event, kicked off the opening ceremony by introducing the Hayiya Dance Theatre Inc., a non-profit West African dance and percussion service organization.
Mercer’s Kpop Dance Team and Rangrell also performed on stage, including student performances like Hasania Clarke '27 singing “Sign of the Times” by Harry Styles.
“You get to see your friends show their cultures and show their different outfits,” Mitchell said. “It's really beautiful and all the work that goes into it is so important.”
Artists created caricatures for individuals and groups of up to three people on Cruz Plaza. There was also a stuff-a-bear attraction that featured stuffed animals with “BearFest” shirts, and a few inflatable games.
Students were offered cotton candy and popcorn as they entered Penfield Hall. Breanna Slade from Ink on Earth provided Henna tattoos. She has drawn freestyle designs for three years.
