Single students connect in under five-minutes at speed dating event

The dimly lit Sycamore Lounge was filled with hopeful romantics as conversations and nervous giggles helped students to find friendship and more during Speed Dating Friday night.

Cody Hedges, a freshman physics major, said speed dating was "interesting."

"I felt like I was talking too much," Hedges said.

The speed daters wore name tags and got five minutes with each other. The women stayed stationary while the men rotated. If the speed dater was interested in a person, they could e-mail the hosts with their picks. If the feelings were mutual, they would be sent the other's contact information.

"It was a first for us in doing the Speed Dating event, and while we had a few bumps in the road, … we had a pretty successful evening," said Coni Stanley, program assistant in First Year Programs, which co-sponsored the event along with the Union Board.

Students discussed their hometowns, interests and classes to try to ignite a spark.

"Several people actually made 'connections'," Stanley said. Stanley said physical appearance and chemistry are key in establishing a relationship with someone.

"First impressions are really everything," Stanley said. "Before committing any of your valuable time, you'll know off the bat if there's any chemistry between the two of you."

Stanley said the success of the program is due to the fact that someone is not stuck for hours with somebody they are not interested in. They have five more people waiting in line.

"We even had to ask permission to stay over in the room because of such a great turn out," Stanley said. "We are hoping to have more events such as this in the future to meet the needs of the campus and to create new venues for networking as the year progresses."

It all comes down to chemistry, Stanley said.

"People are beginning to realize that attraction depends on more than just a description or picture of a person, but also through the way two people interact with each other," Stanley said.

The event ended with karaoke, including duets and love songs. "Karaoke can be fun for everyone and even the most tone-deaf person can get huge applause and sound good if they just interact with the crowd," Stanley said. "Karaoke is used in uniting and bringing people together."

Though there were equipment issues, people stepped up to the challenge of winning Best Female Singer Love Song, Best Male Singer Love Song, Best Duet Love Song and Best "Love Stinks" Love Song.

"I gave you an 'E' for effort," said Kelly Hall, administrative assistant in Public Safety and one of three judges for the karaoke about the first contestant, "because you know I am the nice one."

Songs included "Let's Give Them Something to Talk About," "Hotel California" and "Falling in Love With You."

"Even the folks who don't sing will have the time of their lives listening to great music being sung by their friends," Stanley said. "And of course the singers in the crowd would like nothing more in life than to get their hands on a microphone."