Downtown gets very s-p-o-o-k-y (warning: scary photo)

NEWS RELEASE

ALGOMA UNIVERSITY

************************* Downtown Student Centre transformed into haunted hotel Algoma University staff celebrate Halloween downtown SAULT STE. MARIE, ON (October 31, 2011) - Algoma University staff and faculty put down the books and the laptops and treated themselves to an afternoon of fun and frights on Sunday at the Downtown Student Centre. Setting up an unused portion of the building, staff created a haunted trick-or-treat hallway for guests to visit, which included live characters played by university staff and faculty, as well as volunteers from the White Pines Collegiate and Vocational School of the Arts.

The Haunted Hotel featured a Batty Butcher, a Mad Scientist, a Mortician, Mummies, and other ghoulish characters.

"The faculty and staff at the university are fairly young, so there are lots of children in the AU "family." Family-friendly events like this are a great way to build morale," said Dr. Richard Myers, president of Algoma University, who doubled as Dracula [photo] in the Haunted Hotel.

"The Windsor Park was a natural setting for a Halloween party. The second floor of the old 1896 wing hasn't been used in years. It was kind of scary on its own, but after the staff finished decorating it, it was downright creepy!" Also in attendance were over 40 guests from the Big Brothers of Sault Ste. Marie, whom the university invited to take part.

"We were pleased to have the Big Brothers join us for this event," said Myers. "One of our computer science instructors is a Big Brother and when we realized what a fun event this was going to be, we thought it would be natural to open it up to the members of that organization as well. My impression is that they had a really good time." Guests dined on themed food, had an opportunity to decorate loot bags, and were taken in small groups through the Haunted Hotel.

Once there they visited each room, where they trick-or-treated for candy.

"It was pretty scary," said 8-year-old Avery Hemsworth, dressed as little orphan Annie. "It wasn't as scary as the Tower of Terror at Disney, but too scary for my little brother!"

Some younger guests turned back almost immediately, too scared to travel through, but the older ones were not put off by the eerie scene.

"It wasn't even scary," said Justin Mauro in his Ricky Bobby costume, demonstrating some bravado while flanked by friends. "It was really well done, though. I can see why the smaller kids were scared." Anyone wishing to view photos from the event can do so on the Algoma University Facebook page. Algoma University students celebrated the season with a pumpkin carving contest in the Speakeasy last Thursday, and a Halloween pub later that night. About Algoma University Algoma University is committed to offering an undergraduate education experience unlike any university in Ontario, offering a wide variety of program options.

Algoma University also offers accelerated diploma-to-degree programs in business administration in Brampton, and two degrees, including a Bachelor of Social Work, in Timmins.

As a partner with Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig, Algoma U is committed to respecting Anishinaabe knowledge and culture.

To learn more about Algoma University, visit here.

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