Northwest Week activities include giveaways, food, hypnotist

Northwest Week activities include giveaways, food, hypnotist

Northwest Week, a spring tradition at Northwest Missouri State University, is returning to campus and providing the community with events, giveaways and entertainment.

The week-long celebration of the University and academic year begins Monday, March 16. It is organized by the Student Activities Council (SAC) and provides social activities designed for Northwest students.

This year's schedule includes a T-shirt giveaway, a picnic with food trucks at the Memorial Bell Tower, a "make-n-take" event and a performance by hypnotist Evan Gambardella.

"Northwest Week is a special opportunity for the people of Northwest to come together to celebrate the community we have and what the University means to each of us," said Maggie Wiedrich, a junior from Gretna, Nebraska, who majors in business administration and managerial accounting and serves as SAC president. "The activities hosted by SAC are a great way to get involved, meet new people and to have fun celebrating this amazing University."

A complete schedule of Northwest Week activities is provided below. For more information about SAC activities, call 660.562.1226 or send an email to [email protected].

SAC concludes its 2025-26 lineup with two more events this spring. The organization will host a movie night from 8 to 11 p.m. Friday, March 27, in the Carl and Cheryl Hughes Fieldhouse. From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, April 9, at the Memorial Bell Tower, SAC will host "Dogs and Kats," featuring dogs from the New Nodaway Humane Society and treats served by Kool Kats.

SAC plans and administers activities for Northwest students to contribute to a more well-rounded social, recreational and cultural life for the campus and community. The organization provides entertaining alternatives to students with late-night activities and events throughout the year, including concerts, lectures, movies and comedians.

Monday, March 16: T-shirt giveaway

The T-shirt giveaway will be from 8 to 9 a.m. on the second floor of the J.W. Jones Student Union.

Tuesday, March 17: Picnic Palooza

SAC will host a picnic from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Memorial Bell Tower, featuring trucks offering free food.

Wednesday, March 18: Make-n-Take

The event, from noon to 3 p.m. in the Student Union Living Room will feature giveaways, speed sketchers and other activities.

Thursday, March 19: Evan Gambardella

Therapeutic hypnotist Evan Gambardella will return to Northwest for a performance, beginning at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 19, in the Charles Johnson Theater at the Olive DeLuce Fine Arts Building.

Certified as an instructor of hypnosis by the National Guild of Hypnotists, Gambardella has performed in 20 countries on six continents. His mental health fitness programming assists individuals who suffer from anxiety, chronic stress, depression, loss and post-traumatic stress disorder.