Bryan Jones
Contributing Writer
In the wake of ESU’s success with its inaugural Wellness Fair of 2023, the university has decided to make the event an annual affair, with this 2024’s holding a unique air of mystery.
Taking place on Wednesday, March 20, from 12-2 p.m. at the Mattioli Recreation Center, the Wellness Fair aims to promote the holistic welfare of students. It offers a multitude of resources and interactive stations for students to understand the gist of wellness and all that it entails.
“Students who participate in the event will go to eight different stations, where they’ll learn about the eight different dimensions of wellness,” said Dr. Britney Powers, the director of Health & Wellness for ESU. “Those who complete all eight will earn a wellness passport, which enters them into our wellness raffle, and provides the winner with a wellness basket, something which is entirely new this year.”
While Powers did not specify what the wellness basket contained, the raffle itself adds a new dimension to the event, providing an air of mystery.
One of the event’s distinct highlights is the attendance of heads from various departments throughout the university. The presence of other departments emphasizes ESU’s commitment to the event and shows that the Wellness Fair is a unified effort to support the well-being of the university’s students.
“We really think this an excellent opportunity for students to learn about what ideal student wellness is,” said Dr. Powers. “This year the event will be a bit more interactive, and we’re really excited about that.”
Sydney Walker, an ESU senior and student intern, Bucks County, also volunteers with Meals on Wheels was quick to point out the eight dimensions of wellness.
“Emotional, physical, social, intellectual, occupational, environmental, financial and spiritual wellness are each of the dimensions that will be explored, with a different department head presenting each one,” said Walker. “I believe that providing accessible resources and information to students can empower them to make informed decisions about their health.”
The event will also have quite a few guest speakers appearing to assist in educating students about wellness; representatives from ESU counseling, ESU career services, Stony Acres and even the Lehigh Valley Health Network will be in attendance.
Carlo Deconza, an alumnus of ESU, graduate of the Fall 2016 class and East Stroudsburg resident currently working in the film industry, was intrigued by the idea of the Wellness Fair.
“Man, I would’ve loved for something like that to have been around when I was at ESU,” he said. “Something like that can really help you as a student, especially when you’re feeling down on yourself, and you’re pretty stressed out.”
Deconza’s statement underscores the importance of an event like the Wellness Fair but also sheds light on the fact that events of this nature were rare a few years ago. Additional information about ESU’s Health and Wellness department can be found here.
With a chance of offering students the chance to prioritize their personal well-being, the Wellness Fair will be an ideal stage for students to engage and connect with their peers and professors.