HOUGHTON - Two things Michigan Technological University is known for worldwide are tough classes and long winters.
Students enjoyed a respite from both Friday afternoon for the annual Spring Fling, held across campus from noon to 5 p.m. The Memorial Union Board staffs and organizes the event.
Students rode mechanical bulls, ate cotton candy and launched water balloons over the Douglass H. Houghton Residence Hall. Student groups ranging from the American Institute of Chemical Engineers to Healthy Options for a Wellness Lifestyle (HOWL) used the day to get the word out about their groups.
Article Photos
Daily Mining Gazette/Garrett Neese
Above, Michigan Technological University students play volleyball in the muddy courts near the Walker Building on campus Friday afternoon during the annual Spring Fling. The event commemorates the end of winter.
Campus radio station WMTU doled out free haircuts, including a mohawk to biomedical engineering student David Stroup. He liked the free food and swag.
And the mohawk.
"I think it's fantastic," he said.
The Society for Women Engineers grilled up hot dogs and sold Girl Scout cookies. Turnout had been good, SWE member and chemical engineering student Katie Roxbury said.
"It's been a beautiful day, which really helps," he said.
Crowds also checked out live entertainment from comedian Tim Kidd and Johnny Cash tribute band Cash Kings. The Full Throttle Motorcycle Club of MTU sponsored a motorcycle stunt show from two-time World Trials champion Tommi Ahvala of Finland, who wowed onlookers with tricks and jumps over volunteers.
Chemical engineering student Nick Ostberg was a fan of the show - as well of the rest of Spring Fling, the third one he's attended.
"It's probably the best one I've been to," he said.
Other students braved the mud to play volleyball on the courts near the Walker Building.
Tech environmental engineering student Spencer Giles emerged from a game near the end of the day splattered from head to toe.
"It was a lot of fun - muddy, but I had a great time," he said. "It's kind of hard to move, because you just stick to the ground."
Garrett Neese can be reached at gneese@mininggazette.com.