Auburn University celebrates 67th annual Hey Day

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Auburn University's Student Government Association hosted its 67th annual Hey Day celebration Thursday on the Student Center green space, bringing the Auburn Family together with a day dedicated to promoting a close knit community by simply saying "Hey."

Students throughout campus wear nametags and are invited to enjoy entertainment and free food while getting to know each other.

2016's theme was "Saying Hey Since Back in the Day," with the tradition of Hey Day dating back to the end of World War II.

"We chose that because so many people come out to Hey Day on the green space and think it's just a random day that we wear name tags but there's a lot of history behind it," said Connor Porterfield, director of Hey Day. "It started because when the soldiers returned from the war, the students at Auburn wanted to find a way to greet them properly."

Beyond the nametags and greetings, Hey Day has evolved into a full-day event.

2016 featured performances from Auburn's hip hop dance team AU Rhythm, the Auburn cheerleaders and the Auburn University Tiger Paws. SGA also offered pizza and drinks to students in attendance.

The Hey Day committee had a photo booth set up for students to use as a way to associate the theme of "Saying Hey Since Back in the Day," and students also had the chance to play with adoptable puppies from the Lee County Humane Society while on the green space.

SGA President Jesse Westerhouse encourages the student body to participate in the yearly event.

"Hey Day embodies what it means to be a part of the Auburn Family," Westerhouse said. "Students should come to Hey Day to make a new friend, enjoy entertainment from Auburn students and to be a part of such a long-standing tradition. It is exciting and fun and we want every Auburn student to get a 'Hey' and give a 'Hey' to somebody new."

Kathryn Grace Faulk, assistant director of Hey Day, emphasized that the Hey Day tradition reaches beyond the students.

"Hey Day is all about the Auburn Family and how we can allow for everyone to feel welcomed," Faulk said. "It doesn't only reach the students but the faculty and staff as well. It is such a special tradition that everyone in the Auburn Family loves because it truly shows how much we care for one another and love our school."

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