Every year at the end of September, IU Indianapolis hosts Regatta, which brings students, parents and community members together. This year marked the 17th annual Regatta.
Regatta features events for young children, contests, live music and tabling from different student organizations. Because IU Indianapolis is located downtown and does not have a football team, Regatta serves as a homecoming-style event, replacing a traditional homecoming dance.
“We just want to foster that welcoming experience for both families and students on campus to get together and enjoy a campus tradition that we have year after year,” said Simran Shergill, director of sponsorships.
Biology and neuroscience major Nicole Gordon was part of the Royal Court. In previous years, her family would also come to Regatta. She said Regatta is also beneficial for community partners to engage with the community as well.
The tradition of Regatta has given Gordon the opportunity to meet students while campaigning. She sees it as a campus tradition and a way for community members to visit IU Indianapolis.
This year, Gordon’s family could not attend to see her as part of the Royal court but she encouraged people to come to Regatta.
“Today’s a great place for families to be here and kind of hang out and just see what IU Indianapolis is all about,” Gordon said.
Some families traveled from far distances to spend time with their students. The Cornett family travelled from West Harrison, Ind. for their daughter, Ellie. Her mother, Tanner, feels it is a great opportunity to meet Ellie’s friends and see the activities she surrounds herself with.
“This is a very fun and active day. It's not like just gathering for coffee and donuts in a conference room and just looking at people to meet on Parents Weekend,” Cornett said.
During her daughter’s freshman year, they entered her dog in the Regatta dog show and are doing it one last time before Ellie graduates. Winnie, a Cavalier King Charles spaniel, was dressed up as a king with a gold crown on his head.
“I love having my parents here for Regatta because I get to share a piece of my collegiate journey with them,” Cornett said. “While it is hard being away from family during my college years, this event allows me to bring everyone together and have a great time.”
Regatta also brought strangers together. Liberal Arts faculty member Mike Politis participated in a no-hands donut eating contest with a stranger. It was a young girl, Anya Fleet, who came to Regatta because her older sister studies at IU Indianapolis.
“He was there at the same time,” Fleet said. “I was going to do it. I wasn’t going to miss it.”
With their hands behind their backs, they competed to finish their donuts first. Fleet won the contest and picked up the hand-held bell to wave it around, announcing her victory.
“I think that it’s a fantastic way for people to meet one another, to do something fun in the outdoors and really just for us to enjoy one another's company in a great setting,” Politis said.
Sarah Bennett (she/her) is a senior majoring in journalism. In her free time, she enjoys doing her makeup and spending time with family and friends.
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