The Student Innovation Center brought the spirit of the season to prep week with the first annual Holiday Memory Maker event. Students and visitors had the opportunity to build their own laser-cut ornaments and decorate a variety of baked goods. The inaugural event took place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m Tuesday on the first floor of the Student Innovation Center.
“We wanted to create an event that gave students a chance to relax and be creative while also showcasing the Student Innovation Center,” said Rebecca Nation, learning and development specialist.
The first-ever event drew in an estimated crowd of around 500 to 600 guests, which decorated over 800 ornaments collectively, Nation said.
“We’ve already gone through two full rounds of cookies,” said Jon Hamborg, shop supervisor at the Student Innovation Center.
Hamborg said he had wanted the Student Innovation Center to host something for the holidays that also highlighted the facility and served as an outlet for creativity. One focus of the Holiday Memory Maker was to highlight student talent, as all of the ornaments were designed and laser-engraved by Iowa State students.
“It’s been great. We’ve had people coming in and out all day long,” Nation said.
Students lined the tables, socializing and constructing their ornaments, decompressing from an otherwise typically stressful prep week.
“We wanted to give students a break during prep week and a chance to focus on something else,” event coordinator Millicent Cameron said.
The Student Innovation Center plans on continuing to hold the event annually and hopes to bring new additions to the event next year, Nation said.
“We’re going to see what works and adapt for next year. It’s really in the spirit of innovation,” Nation said.
