Marquette University students were treated to a night of festive fun during the recent Oktoberfest celebration, hosted in collaboration between the Campus Activities Board (CAB) and the MU German Club. Held on campus, the event welcomed students from all backgrounds to enjoy an evening of German-inspired activities, food, and entertainment.
CAB Executive Intern Miranda Herbele shared the event aimed to foster a sense of community and offer a taste of German culture.
“German Fest is an event in collaboration with the MU German Club. This event was meant to bring people together of all backgrounds to enjoy some food, fun, and friends as per the usual CAB event,” Herbele said.
Rooted in Wisconsin’s strong German heritage, the Oktoberfest event offered an opportunity for students to connect with a culture that has shaped the Milwaukee area for centuries. Germans were the largest immigrant group to settle in Wisconsin in the 1800s, with nearly 40% of Wisconsinites tracing some German ancestry today. Events like these offer a glimpse into historical connection, alongside the benefit of making cultural engagement accessible to students from all backgrounds.
The celebration was filled with activities, among the night’s highlights were German-themed activities, such as Kahoot and Bingo, where students tested their knowledge of German culture, language, and history. Traditional German music played in the background while German-inspired games kept the energy high throughout the night. The range of activities allowed attendees to participate in a bit of friendly competition while learning about a new culture.
“We hope this event brings out a variety of students from Marquette on a Saturday night. We not only want to bring people together but showcase amazing clubs like the German Club,” said Herbele. With a commitment to providing enjoyable, inclusive events, CAB continues to engage the student body. “If that’s lederhosen and pretzel bites, CAB does its best to deliver.”
The event organizers were particularly proud of how Oktoberfest brought students together and helped promote awareness of one of the many diverse student organizations on campus. “We hope this event brings out a variety of students from Marquette on a Saturday night,” the organizer emphasized. “We not only want to bring people together but showcase amazing clubs like the German Club that are easy to collaborate with and create an event with great energy and great fun.” Herbele said.
Looking forward, the success of Oktoberfest has laid the groundwork for more collaborative cultural events at Marquette. CAB and other campus organizations plan to continue offering programming that highlights the diversity within our student body.. With CAB and the German Club leading the way, Marquette students can look forward to even more immersive experiences that celebrate the cultures represented on campus.
Oktoberfest 2024 not only celebrated German traditions but also the community spirit that thrives at Marquette, bringing students together through culture, collaboration, and a little friendly competition.
For students looking to stay connected with future CAB events, follow them on Instagram.
This story was written by Allison Scherquist. She can be reached at [email protected].
