The largest Washington State University incoming freshman class proved itself worthy at the Student Entertainment Board’s (SEB) Welcome Back Up All Night in the Compton Union Building Saturday night. The sheer number of attendees was enough to prove to anyone that they mean business.

“It’s exceeded my expectations in how many people were going to be here and how successful it was actually going to be,” sophomore business marketing major Jacob Farris, one of the programmers for this event, said. “It’s great to see this many people coming out to the first event of the year. It’s a good kick off for the rest of the year for the SEB, especially to get hype for it.”

According to Farris, the number clocked in around 1,000.

Along with Farris, the event was headed by senior psychology major Austin Majors. For their first time out, the event was surely a success, he said.

The goal of this Up All Night was just to welcome everyone back to the school, Majors said.

“We want everybody feeling the cougar spirit and getting everyone back into the rhythm. As boring as school can be sometimes, you want to have a good time as well, so that’s what we’re trying to do.”

There was plenty to do for the mass crowds. If live performances including hypnotist Dan Lornitis and comedian Tracey Ashley weren’t your cup of tea, you could have participated in any number of activities on Adams Mall including climbing a rock wall, throwing yourself against a Velcro wall or even taking aim at a target to dunk Associated Students of Washington State University president Riley Myklebust and vice-president Amanda Spalding.

Students could also play The Price is Right sponsored by the Residence Hall Association, laser tag in the CUB Junior Ballroom, the most popular activity according to Farris, and enjoy air brush tattoos.

Of course, there was also lots of free food. Young Life handed out ice cream and an endless supply of soft drinks.

“Everyone here seems to be having a great time,” Majors said partway through the night. “I’ve kicked off the comedy show in the auditorium, and they’re already laughing and they’re only two minutes in, so everything should be good.”

This next year is filled to the brim with activities sponsored by the SEB.

“We have a haunted house planned that should scare everybody and then I know we have a couple good concerts going on,” Majors said. “But I think the group we got this year really meshed well, so I think we’ll be able to feel each other and give each other new ideas, so as it goes on, it’s just going to get better and better.”

Both Farris and Majors expressed words of encouragement to incoming freshmen.

“Have fun,” Majors said. “I mean, everyone’s going to tell you to go to class and to keep up on homework and stuff. But if you don’t sprinkle any fun in there, you’re going to get washed out. So have some fun.”

Farris stressed involvement in his advice.

“Get on the Student Entertainment Board. It’s a lot of fun, it’s a good way to meet new people, good way to get involved in the school and open a lot of doors, especially post-college and getting to meet new people and just to have some fun getting out of class and not just focusing on school work, but also having some relaxing time getting involved.”