An event worthy of all the buzz, NMU WellBeing hosted a WellBeing Fair to make sure everyone on campus knows they have a plethora of resources available to them. On Tuesday, March 18, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., the Northern Center was filled with students walking around the ballroom learning more about all of the ways the university and community have their back.
Not only was this event informative, but it was also interactive. As students pooled into the fair, they were greeted with a punch card featuring the WellBeing Wheel. The wheel consists of the following elements: Career, Physical, Social, Spiritual, Emotional, Environmental, Financial and Intellectual.
Each booth played its part in representing one of the different sections of the wheel. As students progressed and made their way through the different booths and engaged in conversation, they would get the respective element on their wheel hole punched.
Once students had all of the elements checked off their list, they were able to add some personal contact information and enter their card to win a plethora of awesome prizes.
Twenty-six booths were set up within the ballroom, all with the same intention—to show students that support exists here on Northern’s campus.
“Our intended goal is to make sure students have better access to the different parts of their community and know what they have available to them,” said Olivia Headley, WellBeing Peer Educator.
Most, if not all, of the booths had some form of interactive activity that participants could enjoy. Many also had fun merch or even free samples to enjoy as they made their way around the fair.
This opportunity for students to become better acquainted with their community and campus was seen as a smashing success through the eyes of the WellBeing Center. To add some extra incentive for student participation, the first 150 attendees were given a free WellBeing tote bag.
“On a personal level, I have found this helps a lot. My freshman year, I struggled emotionally because I did not have access to as many resources as I do now, or acknowledgment that those resources existed,” Headley said. “I am so happy now knowing that I can share those resources with so many students, and that makes me feel a lot happier as a person.”
Experiences like this shine a light on Northern’s inclusive and welcoming atmosphere. Marquette thrives off of community support and connection, which is why a large portion of the participants for this event were small businesses and organizations.
The familiar faces of the Wildpups were one of the highlights of this event for many. The Pups acted as a great icebreaker for those who may have felt awkward or shy approaching a table at first. It was clear that this was an event hosted by students for students.
More information and resources are posted on WellBeing’s website. Keep an eye out for future events similar to this via the Hub.
