At a time when stress levels are high on campuses, Hilbert College found a unique way to uplift its community. The West Herr Atrium was filled with excitement and a sense of community as students gathered for the “Stuff-a-Creature” event, a simple yet impactful activity that emphasizes the importance of bonding with your peers.
The event was straightforward in its approach but effective in its impact, it involved students stuffing their own plush creatures, dressing them in Hilbert College merch, and most importantly, bonding with fellow attendees. The simplicity of creating stuffed animals became a backdrop for something much more significant – building a stronger sense of campus community.
Ethan, a junior studying psychology, shared his experience: “I didn’t really come in with any first impressions, as I had never heard of this event being held before. So, I came just to find out what the experience would be like.” His favorite part? “I like the stuffing because there are a lot of things you can do with it. While stuffing, you learn the best way to use the foam, and who doesn’t like stuffed animals,” he added.
When asked about the broader impact of such events, Ethan reflected on the communal aspect, saying, “I think events like these bring the total joy of the campus up. Some people are super stressed with classes and their daily lives. I think it can help relieve a lot of stress because it gives a feeling of community.”
Behind the scenes, the organizers worked to ensure a great experience. Alexis, a sophomore in the forensic science program and one of the event’s organizers, explained, “The Stuff-a-Creature event is all about fun and stress relief. The goal with these events is to create a welcoming and stress-free environment.” Unlike most other events, this one didn’t face many challenges. “It was one of the more simple and easy events to set up,” she admitted.
Regarding its recurrence, Alexis said, “This event is typically done once per year, but it’s not always scheduled at the same time. The experience is unique, there are different things every time you come. But the theme is mostly what changes between events.” This shows that the core value of bringing people together in a joyful, stress-free setting can be done again and again while still remaining impactful. The “Stuff-a-Creature” event shows that student involvement doesn’t always need elaborate setups or extravagant plans. Sometimes, the joy lies in the simplicity of coming together and spending a little time with your fellow classmates. It’s the small yet thoughtful events like these that strengthen our close-knit and supportive community here at Hilbert College.
The Scribe 