GameOn!
by Kevin Fritz
Don’t freak out, but it’s almost time to geek out at Seminole State College (SSC).
Freaks & Geeks, the school’s annual gaming and digital media event, is turning 20 – and this year’s coordinators are pulling out all the stops. The free and open-to-the-public event will be held on October 23 at SSC’s Sanford/Lake Mary campus.
Hosted by the school’s Freaks & Geeks Student Digital Media Club and the SSC Student Club (NITA), the event will feature games galore, a scavenger hunt, a Halloween costume contest, and much more.
The event isn’t just fun and games, though. Students plan and run Freaks & Geeks, which gives them the chance to develop leadership skills. They also have the opportunity to network with community business leaders who participate in the event as vendors and sponsors.
Michael Kappers, the school's digital media program manager/distinguished professor, says Freaks & Geeks has grown organically over the years, adapting to meet the needs of the students.
The event began simply enough, when Michael and a few students decided to use the computer lab to play Local Area Network (LAN) games – multiplayer video games – to decompress after fall midterm exams.
“The freaks were the design guys, and the geeks had the networking proficiency,” says Michael, who has been with SSC for more than 25 years.
X(Box) Marks the Spot
It wasn’t long before the students transitioned their game night into an industry event, with the first guest of honor being EA Sports – back when Xbox initially hit the market and was debuting NBA Street and Madden NFL.
Now, Freaks & Geeks features numerous business partners that showcase what they do in the gaming and digital media industry.
In addition to networking with industry leaders, students will have the opportunity to connect with their peers and career counselors and coaches. Representatives from several campus organizations will be on hand, including the SSC of Florida Career Center, the Seminole State Student Art Club, and the Women in Technology at SSC Student Club.
Linda Heisterman, a digital media student who is working toward a degree in graphic design, attended Freaks & Geeks for the first time last year.
“I met people from all walks of life,” says Linda, “and the warm, friendly atmosphere reminded me of the power of community – and the power of art – to transcend boundaries and connect us on unspoken levels.”
While Freaks and Geeks will certainly offer an educational experience for the students, nobody is going to forget to have fun while they’re learning.
“Everyone enjoys going around and meeting other students,” says Michael. “And they love the food, the costumes, and other goofy contests.”
Seminole State College’s 20th Annual Freaks & Geeks Gaming and Digital Media Event
October 23, 6:00 to 9:00 p.m., 100 Weldon Boulevard
The event will feature a gaming truck, scavenger hunt, retro/vintage game room, Halloween costume contest, illustration and sculpting competitions, and industry guests.