Students walked freely around the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union Thursday as they ate, mingled and played games, remembering what it is like to have fun and be a kid again.

The event, hosted by the University Board, offered free T-shirts, food and prizes to students.

The “Up All Night” event had activities such as: Toilet bowl racing, Western dress up photos and inflatables all brought to you by Otis Seawood, a senior family and consumer science major.

Seawood is the special events coordinator for the UB and has held his position for the past three years.

Seawood was proud to say he is the oldest member on the UB and proud of his position.

Union centers, such as Panther Pantry and the University Food Court, helped sponsor this event.

The bookstore offered 25 percent off novelty items to contribute to the event and give students something to look forward to.

“Up All Night is once a semester and it gives students a chance to learn what UB has to offer and have fun for free,” Seawood said.

Students stood in line as they waited their turns to get custom made nameplates and to box in the inflatable boxing ring while at the event.

The exotic reptile zoo was one of the main attractions. Cameras flashed repeatedly as people took turns holding the huge snakes and lizards.

Courtney Heinzmann, a senior graphic design major, said this is her second year of being one of three marketing coordinators on UB.

Heinzmann said she enjoys her position more every year.

“UB wants students to come out and support, have fun and get involved. It feels good to offer students good clean fun without drinking and participating in permissible activities,” Heinzmann said.

Students such as Meghan Clark, freshman special education major, enjoyed the event.

“I saw a poster for the event on the Union’s bulletin board. It sounded exciting so I came with my friends. The Wild West pictures and toilet races with friends was my favorite part,” Clark said.

The event not only supplied students with a joyous time, but UB members as well. They participated in all activities and enjoyed the event that they designed.

Tonight the union was filled with bright smiles and full bellies.

Seawood wanted to thank everyone for coming out and supporting UB.

“Look out for the Valentines Dinner and Spring Fling bought to you by UB,” Seawood said.

Sierra Teague can be reached at 581-2812 or slteague@eiu.edu.

Stephanie Cascio, a senior elementary education and foreign language major, holds an albino burmese python at the exotic animals section of the “Up All Night” event in the University Ballroom of the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union on Thursday nig

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