Eastern Michigan University students, staff and faculty painted Depot Town green on Sept. 17, despite gray skies and drizzles. Part of EMU President Brendan Kelly and Campus Life’s Weeks of Welcome, the first EMU block party was hosted in Ypsilanti to further intermesh the university and the community.
Visitors enjoyed a performance by the EMU Marching Band, a speech from Kelly, vendors and giveaways, as well as the chance to learn about the local offerings of Ypsilanti and EMU's campus.
The marching band’s performance was one of different songs and genres, even teasing an upcoming circus-themed halftime show.
A myriad of vendors tabled with giveaways and information. The City of Ypsilanti held a table featuring information, resources, free merchandise and a water tower photo opportunity.
Organizations such as Ann Arbor Spark, Vote@EMU, EMU Alumni, EMU Marching Band, Michigan Works, Luscious Cakes, Mr. Pizza, Destination Ann Arbor, Swoop’s Food Pantry and more tabled and offered free merchandise and resources.
Kelly, a two-time alum who began his presidency in the spring, spoke at the event. He told attendees he hoped they would be “walking away with unapologetic pride in Eastern Michigan University and Ypsilanti, Michigan.”
Kelly told The Echo that bridging EMU and Ypsilanti is an important part of student experience at EMU.
“I think that you have a university campus in the city that it is in, and those things are inextricably linked together. It’s really important for us as a university to do two things: one, proactively engage that community. The second piece is to make sure that every single student at Eastern Michigan feels a sense of ownership in this city, and this block party is a way to make that happen,” he said.
Kelly explained that the event wasn’t just for current students: “I want alumni to be able to return to Depot Town to celebrate it. I want students to become more connected to the city, and I hope they are spending more time down in this fantastic place just the way I did when I was a student. And tonight, I hope we are starting a new tradition.”
Jason Folk, is a senior majoring in philosophy. Folk represented Vote@ EMU, a university-sponsored initiative under the Engage Office during the dreary weather at the event. He said, “Even if it’s raining, there are still people here, and I think that’s really exemplary of what Eastern is all about.”
Raj Rahman, a mechanical engineering major and psychology and communication double minor said, “I’m looking at the amazing community that is enjoying over here with fruitful vibes and amazing music.”
Ypsilanti Mayor Nicole Brown was also in attendance. An EMU alumna herself, she told The Echo that a strong connection between the city and the university is mutually beneficial for both.
“It’s really important for EMU and the city of Ypsilanti as a whole, to have a connection, because as the university grows, so does the city and vice versa. We need to support one another to have a thriving, robust community as a whole, to draw in students to keep students here, but also to build the community and build community collaboration and connection,” Brown said. “I really want to see increased pride in having the university be a part of the fabric of this city, but also getting awareness about all there is to offer in Ypsi. [There is] so much to do, to see, to eat, to buy. Bringing the university into the community is so important for students and for staff alike.”
Alumni like Sarah Jackson, a pastor with the University Christian Fellowship organization on campus, also came to Depot Town to join in on the fun.
“Connecting the two spaces is really significant and really important for both EMU and for Ypsilanti. As a resident of Ypsi, I’m super thankful. As an alum, I just get stoked, because I love EMU, and as a campus pastor I just love it because I’m helping these students become citizens and participants in the communities as they grow older and graduate,” Jackson said.
EMU football head coach Chris Creighton said, ”[This is a] great celebration in a new era with President Kelly, and I’m excited that we could come down here and join in to be a part of it.”
