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Aug 28, 2023

Tech students enjoy Afternoon on the Town

Aug 28, 2023 Garrett Neese/Daily Mining GazetteRyan Biyashev, a first-year computer engineering student at Michigan Technological University, tries to defuse a prop briefcase bomb as part of the

Aug 28, 2023

Garrett Neese/Daily Mining GazetteRyan Biyashev, a first-year computer engineering student at Michigan Technological University, tries to defuse a prop briefcase bomb as part of the sample display from Respawn Tactical Laser Tag, which had a booth at Afternoon on the Town. Students can receive PE credit for the laser tag games.

HOUGHTON — The sidewalks from Michigan Technological University to downtown Houghton were filled with Michigan Technological University students learning about their new home Saturday for Tech’s annual Afternoon on the Town event.

About 45 minutes before the end of the event, 960 students had checked in on campus, said Director of Student Leadership and Involvement Danielle Meirow.

“It’s a beautiful day,” she said. “I just actually was walking through and talking to some of the groups that are tabling and everyone seems to really be appreciating the slow and steady traffic.”

A little more than 40 organizations took part this year, Meirow said. It helps students connect with local businesses and services, and introduces them to non-profits with which they might want to volunteer, Meirow said. Several of the businesses are also recruiting for workers.

“Also our students might have a bank that doesn’t exist up here,” she said. “So having some of the local options available, so they can learn about them is certainly a benefit to our students.”

People lined up at numerous booths throughout Afternoon on the Town, including at the co-ed fraternity Theta Kappa Psi, which gave away beads and hot dogs.

Students could electronically tap in at the start of the route on campus and at the end on Shelden near Surplus Outlet to enter a prize drawing.

Downtown, Respawn Tactical Laser Tag was handing out flyers and letting students try to defuse a prop briefcase bomb. #gallery-4 { margin: auto; } #gallery-4 .gallery-item { float: left; margin-top: 10px; text-align: center; width: 33%; } #gallery-4 img { border: 2px solid #cfcfcf; } #gallery-4 .gallery-caption { margin-left: 0; } /* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes/media.php */

Part of the temporary bomb squad was Ryan Biyashev, a first-year computer engineering student. He came to Afternoon on the Town because he “heard there would be free stuff.”

“The fish tacos (from Joey’s) were good,” he said.

It’s the second year in a row Respawn Tactical Laser Tag has taken part, and they’ve enjoyed it, said owner Axel Rivera. Many students who’ve found out about it through the event wind up coming to the mall to try it later, he said.

“Also they sign up for the class — we’re a PE credit for Tech as well,” he said. “They can get two of three PE credits with this.”

Marilyn Swift of Swift’s Hardware was greeting students at the entrance of the store. They could get 10% discounts off broomball brooms and duct tape.

“Even if you don’t play broomball, you always need duct tape,” she said. “It’s fun to meet the freshmen. They might be here for four or five years.”

Many of the students may never have seen the Lakeshore Drive parking deck. Swift also told them about renovations in the basement, which include plumbing and heating. It will become the store’s “gateway to Shelden Avenue,” Swift said.

As the event neared the end, students returned to campus carrying bags filled with free swag.

Paige Mohs, a first-year civil engineering major, and Mia Mundinger, a third-year sustainable byproducts major, had both enjoyed the event.

It even got them interested in some businesses that didn’t technically participate.

“While you’re standing in the lines for different things, looking into the shops, they had some really cute things,” Mohs said.

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