The Campus Green was buzzing on Sept. 23 as students, faculty, and staff gathered for SUA’s annual Welcome Back Community Event, an afternoon of food, games, and friendly competition to kick off the new academic year.

Class spirit took center stage. Students racked up points through registration, attendance, and a dodgeball tournament, while faculty and staff were invited to join student teams and compete. When they weren’t ducking dodgeballs, posing at the photo booth, or taking on the massive Wrecking Ball inflatable, participants could fuel up at the Hammer Burger stand or the Coconut Truck serving Cambodian fusion street food and grab ice cream or popsicles for dessert.

For a few hours, members of the Soka community had a chance to set aside their daily routines, spend time with friends and colleagues, and make new connections across campus — a fitting way to welcome everyone back for the new academic year.