MTSU’s Student Government Association and Campus Dining organized a picnic and painting event Tuesday evening on the Student Union Commons, bringing students together to get creative and share a meal.
As part of SGA’s Spring Connection Point series, Picnic N’ Painting served as a way for students to decompress and have fun in the final weeks of the semester.
“Everyone is stressed out with their classes,” said Devin McClendon, the events director of SGA. “They need to get out, they need to have fun, they need to experience the other side of college, right? By coming to this event, they connect with other students and eat good food — all on this campus.”
The Commons was packed with students surveying several different food trucks, enjoying lawn games with friends and getting in touch with their creative sides.
Cindy Garcia-Gonzalez, a junior interior design major, spent time at the picnic chatting and painting with her friends.
“Especially during this time, school is very stressful for us,” Gonzalez said. “Having the time for a break is really nice.”
Gonzalez also said she was surprised by how many activities were offered at Tuesday’s event.
“I just thought this was going to be a painting thing,” Gonzalez said. “I was like, ‘Oh, they have more events,’ which is really good.”
Food trucks, yard games and art supplies littered the STU Commons, with companies such as Signature Barbecue, Franklin Fruit Tea, Rolled 4 Ever Ice Cream and Tacos El Rey in attendance.
McClendon also mentioned partnerships with MTSU’s Campus Recreation, the Wesley Foundation and the Department of Veteran Affairs.
“We have all these partnerships going into one event, that’s how you really make an event successful,” said McClendon. “You say, ‘This is what we’re going to do, this is how we’re going to do it.’ And then we do it.”
Representatives from the U.S. Marine Corps and the U.S. Army also joined students, answering questions about military recruitment and handing out pamphlets for people interested in enlistment.
Upcoming Connection Points Spring 2026
MTSU’s Student Government Association has a couple more events in the last month of the semester, including the BOLT Awards on April 14 and the Signature Event featuring GloRilla and Bktherula on April 29.
“[These events] build campus pride, build love for the university and also let you get to meet other people on campus,” McClendon said.
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