New and returning transfer students have the opportunity to have fun and make new friends through speed mingling Thursday at the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union Bowling Alley.

Samantha Williams, intern for the Transfer Relations Office, said that speed mingling is a quick and easy way to meet new friends.

“The idea behind speed mingling is based off of the speed dating concept, except there is no pressure of dating after one meets,” the senior communications major said.

“The activity is just a fun way to mingle and get know new people in a short amount of time.”

To speed mingle, 10 students are placed on each side of a table and are given a set amount of time to introduce themselves and chat with the person opposite them. After the time is up, they rotate and repeat the process.

Williams said speed mingling is meant to be an icebreaker activity and ease the awkwardness of getting to know new people.

“It will hopefully help cut out the awkwardness when the students start to bowl and allow them to talk and have a better time, rather then just sitting there quietly the whole time,” she said.

Besides the speed mingling and bowling, there will be free pizza, cookies and a raffle for prizes.

Williams said the last few years have been successful.

“Last Fall about 75 students attended bowling night and, from the looks of it, most of them had a good time,” said Williams. “This event is meant to be pretty casual. Students can just come and have fun.”

The event has taken place in the Union bowling alley for the past three years and all 12 lanes are reserved for the event.

“We just reserve the entire alley because we never know how many to expect,” said Tim Taflinger, Union Bowling Alley manager. “The last couple times we’ve had a good turn out.”

For students that have no interest in bowling but would still like to attend the event, the bowling alley does offer other forms of recreation – such as arcade games and pool tables.

The transfer event takes place from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday in the Union Bowling Alley.

Those interested in participating in the speed mingling need to check in from 4:30 to 5 p.m.

All new and returning transfer students are encouraged to attend.