Northern Kentucky University organizations celebrated Valentine’s Day this week with various fun events, helping students prepare for the special day with cards, flowers and sweet treats. These events encouraged students to spread love—whether to a partner, a friend or even their favorite campus study spot.
On Tuesday, a snowy winter morning was brightened by the colors of spring through Phi Mu’s flower sale in the Student Union. Tables littered with sparkly hearts displayed vases of pink carnations, the sorority’s official flower. As people purchased flowers, they were encouraged to create a tag to accompany their gifts, with all proceeds going to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital.
“We do this every year; it’s kind of a tradition because everyone wants to give flowers to their valentine,” said Sloan Ritter, a member of Phi Mu. “Just getting one or two and giving it to your friends or your partner—it’s always sweet.”
On the other side of the room, the Activities Programming Board (APB) hosted “Cards and Cocoa,” featuring tables filled with bowls of decadent cream, chocolate chips and fluffy marshmallows, alongside vats of steaming hot chocolate and an assortment of cards. This event was the perfect opportunity for students to choose a card to give to a loved one.
“We encourage anybody to just spread the love with their card. They don’t have to give it to a boyfriend or girlfriend. They could give it to anyone,” said APB member Janaysha Bailey.
On Thursday, Steely Library threw the “Love Letters to Steely” event. Workers dressed in vibrant reds and pinks of a love-day palette presented students with an array of activities, from button-making to coloring pages for a “zine” (a small book with text and art, short for magazine).
“The library has an impact on a lot of people here. They come here to relax, to study, to get textbooks so they can save money,” said Lily Murray, the undergraduate experience librarian. “The fact that we could gather, celebrate the library and then also let people share what they love about the library–we thought it would be a fun thing.”
Students wrote love letters to Steely Library, expressing their appreciation for the campus space while enjoying cookies and lemonade. NKU students can still share their Steely stories by filling out surveys for the library’s new campaign, My Steely.