Each year, Campbellsville University’s Student Government Association (SGA) organizes the Spring Formal. This year, it will be held at 8 p.m., Friday, April 25, on Stapp Lawn (weather permitting).
“We picked the weekend after the Easter holidays and before the hectic last week of classes, finals and graduation so that as many students that want to go can attend, stress-free,” said SGA Director of Finance Liliana Gonzalez.
This year’s theme is “enchanted forest,” combining elements from spring, nature and fairytales.
“We wanted to emulate the spring energy with elements from fairytales and princess movies while also implementing nature elements,” Gonzalez said, “which is very different from the themes we have chosen in previous years.”
Tickets will be sold during lunchtime at the dining hall the entire week leading up to the dance and at the door the night of the event. This year, SGA is partnering with Green River Ministries, and all funds will be donated to the shelter.
“This year’s ticket sales are unique to previous years because we will be doing something we’ve never done before,” Gonzalez said. “We are partnering with Green River Ministries. They will assist us in putting on the dance for students, and we will be donating all the proceeds of the sales to them. We were really inspired by their mission and wanted to do this service project for them.”
Green River Ministries is a non-profit, non-emergent homeless shelter that provides a wide range of services to Taylor and surrounding counties. According to its website, its mission is guided by God to shelter the homeless and provide a pathway to restoration for those in need. Through their service to the community, their vision is to transform people’s lives through shelter, compassion and support.
“We had a student, Bryce Osborne, reach out to us about somehow collaborating with SGA to help for funding for Green River Ministries,” Shelby Bollinger, SGA president, said. “Once we heard about this idea that he brought to the table, we were all hands on deck.”
For many students, Spring Formal is the best way to get out, experience campus and meet students they normally wouldn’t meet. The dance allows students to express themselves and gives them an excuse to dress up.
“A part of Spring Formal that I always loved was the way you could see people from different parts of your CU experience all in one space, absolutely letting lose and being able to see a side you don’t see on an everyday basis,” CU grad student Brayli Steberl said.
Although Spring Formal has changed many times over the years, from different themes and sometimes a different venue, SGA’s goal never changes. Seeing students attend and have a good time is all SGA is hoping for, and this year is no different.
“Spring Formal has changed in so many ways,” Bollinger said. “From the time that I was on senate for SGA to now being the president, I have seen the attendance skyrocket. Each year, we have had hundreds of students come to this event, and this, I feel, is just the beginning.”
Spring Formal is a long-standing CU tradition many students enjoy and look forward to as the spring semester comes to an end. From freshmen who attend for the first time with new friends, to upperclassmen closing their time at CU with one last dance, Spring Formal creates long-lasting memories.
“This year, I look forward to seeing the students that will attend,” Bollinger said. “With it being my senior year, this will be one of my last major college memories before I become a CU alumnus. Just like every year, I love seeing all the students, their smiles, hearing the laughs and just having a night to make memories with my peers.”
