10th annual Arc Carnival delivers more than fun

10th annual Arc Carnival More than 250 fraternity and sorority members hosted 'buddies' in the Sunken Garden.

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by Staff | March 26, 2009

By all accounts, the 10th annual Arc Carnival hosted by the fraternity and sorority communities at the College of William and Mary was the largest, the loudest and the most fun ever. More than 250 students danced, sang and entertained their “buddies” in what became a Saturday afternoon whirlwind of color and motion in the Sunken Garden.

Hosting the Arc Carnival represents the longest and most ambitious activity for the Greek-life community at the College, said Anne Arseneau, advisor to the Inter-Sorority Council (ISC) and the Council for Fraternity Affairs (CFA) at William and Mary. She explained that the students support their partner, The ARC of Greater Richmond, an organization that serves adults with developmental disabilities, by raising funds but mostly by giving “their time.”

“To be out there and to see our students engaged with ARC clients in a way that is totally supportive is hard to describe,” Arseneau said. “The fact that this is our biggest event runs counter to how people normally perceive fraternities and sororities at the College. It is how these communities come together in service.”

During the event, Bette Faye Poythress King, activities coordinator for the ARC of Greater Williamsburg, remarked on how grateful she was for the long-term partnership with the College. “Isn’t this just amazing,” she said. “The Arc is absolutely blessed to have William and Mary students in our family.”