By Liz VandenHeede
Staff Reporter
Finals Finish is back for its 14th year on campus and is bringing new entertainment with performances by the Broncords, a huge zumba class, food and games.
The annual, end-of-the-year event at Western Michigan University is coming back to the Student Recreation Center on Tuesday, April 24.
Finals Finish will take place from 6 to 10:30 p.m. and is aimed at rejuvenating students through finals week and celebrating the end of the school year.
The event, which is free for WMU students, offers competitive and non-competitive games, free food, study space and music. Students need their Bronco ID to get in, but do not have to be a member of the rec.
The idea behind the event is to provide a break and celebration for students that need a break from the stress of finals week.
“Sometimes I think students think they have to be studying every second, but the reality is your brain needs a break,” said Amy Seth, Director of University Recreation and event coordinator for Finals Finish.
Seth started this event at WMU 14 years ago after talking to a student who worked at the Student Recreation Center. The student expressed a need to have a break from the 24-hour quiet hours in the dorms during finals week.
Seth figured if one student had this thought, lots of students probably did as well.
The first year, they pulled the event together in about a month and a half. Seth said she thought this event could be a great time for businesses to thank students for all they spend in the community.
“We thought this should be campus putting this on for students,” she said.
She said Coca-Cola and K&S Vending Services, Inc. have been sponsors since the beginning. Now, the many business sponsors fund the event through University Recreation.
Today the signature checkerboard flag on posters and banners still represents the event, but it has grown in size and entertainment.
Along with the games and studying going on, the male a capella singing group composed of WMU students and alumni will be performing this year.
Tammy Boneburg, a graphic designer at WMU University Relations, helps with the event every year and said students shouldn’t miss the Broncords performance.
“It’s for the students to relax, refuel and revive,” she said about Finals Finish.
Among the fitness classes happening throughout the night, event coordinators are hoping to have the largest zumba class in Kalamazoo of about 250 participants at 8 p.m.
Seth said the food will be mostly snacks including fresh fruit, and the chips, salsa and queso that Qdoba usually brings. The games will include a dodge ball tournament and obstacle courses.
Jared Young, a 22-year-old WMU senior majoring in film, video and media studies, said he sees how the event could be beneficial to him.
“Just for a study space and a snack. I like that it’s only a short distance from the library,” he said.
Seth is happy with the progress Finals Finish has made and looks forward to this year’s event.
“It’s a fun event. I think employees enjoy it too – it’s a win, win all around,” she said.
All Finals Finish details and a full event schedule can be found online at www.wmich.edu/finalsfinish/.
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