Waffles, ice cream, chocolate syrup and fun
Once again, The University of Texas at Arlington dished out Maverick spirit with a side of waffles.
Waffleopolis, an annual highlight of the welcome-back activities that make up Maverick Stampede, continues to grow and thrive. Each year, new and returning students flood Brazos Park and the University Center Mall eager for waffles and ice cream.
For senior Temitope Popoola, this year’s Waffleopolis is extra special because it’s the last one she’ll attend as a Maverick.
“I’ve been to every Waffleopolis since I was a freshman; it’s just a Maverick tradition,” she said. “Today I’m here with my friends from Apartment and Residence Life to just hang out, eat waffles, get away from the craziness of school and enjoy our time as Mavericks.”
Waffleopolis is in its 26th year at UTA. The party’s origins trace back to Brazos House, a since torn-down residence hall where resident assistants would welcome the dorm’s inhabitants with homemade Belgian waffles. The event has transformed over the years, but three things that remain the same are lots of waffles, ice cream and fun.
“We try to make this as festive as possible, with balloons, glow sticks, dancing and anything that just screams fun,” said Mari Duncan, director of Apartment and Residence Life. “The heat, the lines… nothing is stopping the students from eating waffles.”
Through the course of the evening, nearly 4,000 Mavericks piled toppings and ice cream on their Belgian waffles and ended the night with glow sticks and a dance party on the lawn at Brazos Park.
“It’s so crazy to think 4,000 students are here for this,” said Josue Melendez, a senior majoring in political science. “This is my first year on a university campus, and I’ve never experienced anything like this, so this is all very exciting to me. I’m happy I’m here with all my old and new friends.”
Mavericks today care about Waffleopolis the same as previous generations of students, and to Duncan, that is the most rewarding feeling.
“Seeing the students on the steps of Arlington Hall and watching them go crazy with glow sticks is everything,” Duncan said. “They’ll remember the waffles and the dance party, and to me, all of that is just priceless.”