Florida State University’s Garnet Gaming Lounge (GGL), the campus’s premier destination for PC, console and tabletop gaming, will celebrate its official grand opening from 3 to 5 p.m. Monday, Sept. 22, at the Askew Student Life Center. The event is free and open to the public, offering an opportunity to experience the lounge and try out its games at no cost.

“The Garnet Gaming Lounge isn’t just about playing games, it’s about creating a space where students and the community can come together,” said Matthew Nelson, program manager of GGL and Esports. “We’re excited to welcome everyone to explore this new facility and experience everything it has to offer.”

The GGL is a state-of-the-art facility featuring 41 high-performance gaming computers, a dedicated tabletop gaming area, and a mix of both modern and retro consoles. The lounge also serves as the home arena for the FSU Esports team, which competes nationally in more than 15 different games each year.

“This space has been years in the making, and we’re thrilled to finally open the doors,” said Michael Fine, associate director of the Student Union. “The Garnet Gaming Lounge reflects our commitment to innovation and student life at Florida State. It is more than a lounge, it is a hub where creativity, competition and connection can thrive.”

The grand opening celebration will include:

• Opening remarks from campus leadership
• Prize drawings, including t-shirts and exclusive GGL merchandise
• Free play on high-performance PCs and drop-in servers
• Special membership giveaway and pre-purchase specials
• Console tournaments with Super Smash Bros. and Mario Kart
• Esports and game committee showcases
• Tabletop and retro gaming stations

The Garnet Gaming Lounge is made possible through support from the FSU Student Union, the Division of Students Affairs and Information Technology Services.

For more information, visit ggl.union.fsu.edu or follow @fsugglounge on Instagram.

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Elgin Jumper, renowned Seminole artist and poet, put his artistic curiosity and array of mediums on display during a showcase Oct. 22 at Florida State University’s Club Downunder. Jumper captivated the audience in a multi-sensory immersive performance that included his latest film “The Project,” a variety of musical instruments to create soundscapes, poetry, personal stories and paintings.

“It’s like taking a journey every time you do a painting or a poem or a piece of nonfiction,” Jumper said in the film. “I try not to do the same thing over and over.”

The event was a collaboration between FSU’s Club Downunder and Native American and Indigenous Studies (NAIS) Center.

“Every time I see (Elgin) he adds another instrument, another skill set,” said Andrew Frank, director of the NAIS.

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Florida State University is the best university in the state of Florida for student life, according to Niche, a research company that produces an annual ranking of colleges and universities.

Based on federal data and student reviews, FSU earned the No. 6 spot for Niche’s Best Student Life in America. Niche also placed FSU No. 11 among the nation’s top public universities, moving up two spots from last year.

“We are thrilled that Niche ranked FSU No. 6 in the nation and No. 1 in Florida for Best Student Life based on FSU’s ‘positive, fun, and friendly student culture and vibrant campus community,’” said Amy Hecht, vice president for student affairs. “From the time we welcome our students at orientation to the milestone moment when they cross the graduation stage, the Division of Student Affairs provides intentional and robust student services and engagement focused on student success. FSU is truly a special place!”

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