President Pinto’s 2nd glow party brings first-year Bearcats together

'Bright Beginnings' timed to give students another chance to connect

Nearly a month into their first semester, hundreds of first-year Bearcats joined President Neville Pinto and First Lady Jennifer Pinto Friday night for the second “Bright Beginnings,” one of the University of Cincinnati’s newest fall traditions.

The gathering comes as UC welcomes a record first-year class of 9,566 students across its campuses.

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UC President Neville Pinto and First Lady Jennifer Pinto pose with first-year students during Bright Beginnings. Photos/Lauren Meisberger

Glow lights transformed Sigma Sigma Commons as students packed the dance floor, waving light-up sticks in unison while Cincinnati DJ JonJon kept the crowd moving. Nearby, others played glow golf, ping pong and cornhole and added their own creations to a giant Lite-Brite. A cheese coney bar, loaded tater tots, dirty sodas and ice cream from UC alumni-owned Swirley’s Soft Serve Co. rounded out the after-dark menu.

The timing of Bright Beginnings is intentional. By late September, the rush of move-in and Welcome Week has passed, classes are well underway and students are settling into the rhythms and challenges of college life.

Two first-years wear glow glasses during the glow party at UC.

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First-year Bearcats by the hundreds enjoyed Bright Beginnings on September 18. Photo/Lauren Meisberger

Earlier Friday, President Pinto explained to his Cabinet why UC purposely waits several weeks into the semester to host the event.

“For those who have not yet connected, it is another opportunity to meet others who may not have made friends,” he said. “We just want to provide as many opportunities as possible to our students to cement those bonds.”