The 19th annual ’Roo Boo at Austin College, will be held Tuesday, October 30, from 6 to 8 p.m. in Sid Richardson Center of the Robert T. Mason Athletic-Recreation Complex, off Brockett Street and just east of the football stadium. The 2018 event is themed “’Roos Anatomy.”
Children aged 12 and younger are invited to wear their Halloween costumes and enjoy this free event that offers a safe alternative to traditional trick or treating. Parental supervision is required. Austin College Police will be on patrol during the event that is hosted each year by the local chapter of Alpha Phi Omega (APO) national service fraternity.
Fifty-five student groups, nearly every student organization on campus, will be represented at ’Roo Boo, with students running games and fun activities for children and offering lots of candy. The event will include a bounce house, animal balloons, and various games, booths, and prizes.Last year’s ’Roo Boo brought out more than 1,500 visitors, and the students expect this year’s event to be even bigger. In preparation they are providing even more activities, according to senior Allie Armato of Irving, who is coordinating the event this year. APO has added a magician and a fun house to the agenda and spread some activities next door to Ida Green Communication Center for safety and ease of getting around. In addition, the Sherman Fire Department will have a truck on campus for the children to see. Alpha Phi Omega is all about service, Armato said. “This event allows us to reach many so many people in the community in just one evening—and it’s a lot of fun for everyone.” Local businesses are asked to make donations of gift certificates or candy for the Austin College event.
Austin College, a private national liberal arts college located north of Dallas in Sherman, Texas, has earned a reputation for excellence in academic preparation, international study, pre-professional foundations, leadership development, committed faculty, and hands-on, adventurous learning opportunities. One of 40 schools profiled in Loren Pope’s influential book Colleges That Change Lives, Austin College boasts a welcoming community that embraces diversity and individuality, with more than 36 percent of students representing ethnic minorities. A residential student body of 1,250 students and a faculty of more than 100 allow a 12:1 student-faculty ratio and personalized attention. The College is related by covenant to the Presbyterian Church (USA) and cultivates an inclusive atmosphere that supports students’ faith journeys regardless of religious tradition. Founded in 1849, the College is the oldest institution of higher education in Texas operating under original name and charter.