'Tis the season for Franny Fest
When it comes time for the seasons to change, there are always signs. In the case of fall, the air takes on a chill that sneaks underneath sweatshirts and blankets to cause a shiver—sometimes with anticipation as much as cold. Football season begins, the timeless American sport taking centerstage in the life of many a Packer fan. The leaves on the trees lose their chlorophyll, falling like heroes of Greek tragedy in a flurry of reds, oranges, and browns. Coffee shops bring back the pumpkin spice and hot apple cider. Haunted houses open their doors, and Halloween decorations rise from their resting places deep within closets.
These are all generic signs of fall, signs that people all over the Midwest can experience. However, there is one sign unique to Viterbo University that students and staff alike cannot miss. It is the annual spectacle known as Franny Fest.
On a certain afternoon in early October, one can hear the excited murmur of students gathering in Assisi Courtyard. Hip dance tunes and beloved pop songs of the nineties meet the ears. There is a scent of pasta accompanying the crisp taste of autumn air. Rounding the corner of Murphy Center reveals a gathering of student organizations, clubs, and groups that knit the campus together.
Representatives from all corners of student activities, from DNA Club and Tri-Beta to Student Government Association and Dungeons & Dragons Club descend on campus’ central gathering place to share their passions. It is an exchange that embodies the Franciscan value of hospitality: welcoming new and returning students alike by presenting all of the extra- and co-curricular opportunities available to them.
A new season of giving is rung in with cheer, and countless smiles take the edge off the chill. Even the Spanish Club piñata counts its blessings, for despite its defeat, it gets to salvage its dignity by remaining partially intact.
The joys that come with fall are many--as many as the leaves that the grounds staff diligently clears away with their arsenal of leaf-blowers and rakes. The season of turkey-eating and Oktoberfest begins with an important reminder of what makes the Viterbo campus so unique: it is a reminder that love lives here. It whistles through the trees and wafts through the air, touching the soul as well as the heart. One can almost taste it in the alfredo.