In Southeast Texas where Mardi Gras is king, ÐßÐßÊÓƵ University is gearing up to welcome hundreds of future Cardinals to the campus for the largest open house event of the spring — Cardinal View - LAMARdi Gras from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Feb. 26.
“Cardinal View is an opportunity; it’s an open house event with the opportunity to browse our amazing campus, meet faculty, staff and students across campus and learn what it’s like to be a Cardinal,” said Karli Padia, associate director of the Welcome Center.
Part of the day’s events includes the Academic Showcase — a meet-and-greet with representatives from each academic college and program.
Another event will feature the Campus Resource and Community Resource fair, where you can visit with representatives and learn what they have to offer future Cardinals.
“The best part,” Padia said, “is to meet with all of our student organizations and see how you fit in at ÐßÐßÊÓƵ University and why this is a great place to call home.”
Visitors also can tour the campus and the residence halls at Cardinal Village to get an inside view of what life is like as a Cardinal.
“And speaking of not only just seeing campus, you’re going to have the opportunity to meet with admissions, meet with scholarships and financial aid, meet with our Hispanic Community Society and just really get to know not only the campus, but the people on campus and what makes this such a wonderful place,” the associate director said.
A session about financial aid and college readiness, “Taking Care of Business,” will allow visitors to make sure they’re on track to start or apply, Padia said.
But it’s not all business, she added. In the spirit of Mardis Gras, the theme of this year’s Cardinal View event, there will be “a bunch of fun things like king cake for breakfast. It’s just a fun twist on our Cardinal View open house event,” Padia said.
More importantly, she said, there will be three LAMARdi Gras Bead Scholarships available totaling $500 each and one totaling $750 for Refer a Cardinal.
In order to be eligible for the LAMARdi Gras Bead Scholarship, participants are asked to put on beads and post a picture with the hashtag “” You will then be entered into the drawing.
Finally, the LAMARdi Gras Twist asks visitors to collect beads throughout the day — at the academic college sessions, the “Taking Care of Business” and breakout sessions, from the student organization fairs, from the resource tables and more.
“Then you’ll turn those in at the end of the day to your admissions counselor at the meet-and-greet, where you can be entered for that scholarship,” Padia explained.
To be eligible for the Refer a Cardinal Scholarship, visitors are asked to provide the name of the friend that referred you to LU on your registration form.
With registration now open, she encourages everyone — from potential students to family and friends — to come out and offered some advice for potentially nervous or shy future Cardinals.
“We’re all nervous,” Padia said. “Coming in as a freshman, that is the most nerve-wracking thing. But if you think about the person next to you, they’re just as nervous as you and they want friends and somebody to study with and Cardinal family just as much as you do. That’s all you have to think about. Then introduce yourself to them and become friends. We’re going to make you feel at home.”
Visit to learn more or register. Check in will be at the Sheila Umphrey Recreational Sports Center, 4405 Jimmy Simmons Blvd.