By Andrea Perkins,
Staff Writer
Mike Diezmos,
Staff Writer

On Monday, March 14, 2005, the students of Seton Hill University(SHU) were greeted by a series of opening festivities when they returned from spring break.

The night was coordinated by theActivities Office and Jaimie Steel, director of activities and commuter life, and included a wide range of entertainment for people of all tastes. The choice of festivities and the fact that they were not all athletic made the opening of the McKenna Center one that embraced athletes and non athletes. "It was a good mix of different events, and non-athletic activities," said Steel.

The night began at 7:00 p.m. with a blessing of the building by Msgr. Rubino and Sr. Lois Sculco. In their blessing, they said that the building would be used to keep us fit and they also asked God that whoever met under the building would always be companions.

Charmaine Strong, director of student services, also said a few words about the opening of the building, which led into the comedian, Warren B. Hall, taking the stage. Most of the audience filtered out and had only stayed for the blessing
by the time Hall got up to perform.

Freshman Breanne Hall, who attend the entirety of the evening's events said the comedian's performance, "wasn't really my sort of comedy, and the only reason why I stayed was because Brad Yoder was on next."

From 8:30 p.m. to 9:45 p.m., folksinger Brad Yoder performed in the lobby for its opening. From a capella blues to acoustic social commentaries, Yoder entertained Seton Hill students.

First year student Lauren Etling said, "I love his acoustic music, and the side stories he told made the songs very real."

Jeremy Burkett, junior, said, "The songs were good, the sound and lyrics were good."

Sophomores Sarah Elwood and April Kiral both agreed that they would come back the next time to hear more songs from Yoder.

Beaver County improvisational group, the Cellar Dwellers, concluded the day's celebration at midnight with a two-part performance of their show: "Prostate of the Union" and Theater Improv. Audience participation, as first year student Ashlie Littrell said, was great.

Sophomore Joel Brown said, "They're [the Cellar Dwellers] very efficient in improv, it was a chuckle-filled evening."

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