On Thursday, Jan. 29, Waynesburg University alumni, staff and students attended a Pittsburgh Penguins game as part of the franchise’s ‘College Series’ at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

The Waynesburg University Alumni Relations Office partnered with the Student Activity Board to bring this event to current students.

“Around 120 Waynesburg alumni, staff and friends attended the game,” wrote Haley Berry, Waynesburg University’s coordinator of Development and Alumni Relations.

“This group is probably our largest that we’ve had,” David Floyd, director of Development and Alumni Relations said. 

Students that attended this event received special seating, a quarter zip and an opportunity to take a shot on the ice after the game. The tickets were further discounted from their original, according to Associate Dean of Students and Director of Student Engagement, Pat Bristor’s weekly email.

“This low price is due to a generous donation to help support students’ participation,” Bristor wrote.

“The Office of Institutional Advancement worked with our sales representative at the Pittsburgh Penguins to coordinate an evening of opportunities for our alumni and friends,” Berry wrote.

The quarter zips that the students received were orange, “limited-edition Penguins ‘College Series’” with both the Pittsburgh Penguins and Waynesburg University’s logos, according to Bristor. The pullovers were handed out before the game to those who attended.

“Alumni and friends were very excited to receive this customized shirt that represents Waynesburg University and the Pittsburgh Penguins,” Berry wrote.

According to Floyd, this game was particularly special as students were, for the first time, offered the chance to take a shot on the ice after the game. This opportunity was previously reserved only for the alumni in attendance.

“It was a once in a lifetime experience. It was great,” sophomore finance major Mackenzie Monpere, who attended the event, said.

Although not in attendance for the game itself, Floyd shared that this additional opportunity was well received by students and family of alumni who would not have gotten the chance to take a shot on the ice at PPG Paints Arena otherwise. 

“The Office of Institutional Advancement is proud to offer moments of reconnection and fun to our alumni and friends. We are grateful that so many Yellow Jackets braved the cold to join us in cheering on the Pittsburgh Penguins,” Berry wrote. 

In the future, the Office of Alumni Relations plans to repeat this event and similar events, according to Floyd. 

Found on the Waynesburg University Alumni and Giving webpage, it states, “we want you to stay connected, so you can benefit from our ever-growing network of alumni who, like you, were educated to faithfully transform our world.”

In hosting these opportunities, Floyd expressed that the Office of Institutional Advancement and Alumni Relations is upholding this statement.

For future alumni events or news, check out the alumni section on the Waynesburg University webpage and join the newsletter to get all the important updates about events, alumni spotlights and more.