The Student Activities Leadership Team (SALT) will be hosting BU’s Got Talent Friday, March 29 at 7 p.m. in Harman Auditorium. The event will be Bluefield University’s version of NBC’s “America’s Got Talent.”
Scott Polhamus, associate director of traditional admissions, will be the emcee, directing several acts. The lineup of acts includes singers, dancers, a motivational dialogue, and a comedian.
The idea sparked from a conversation between SALT president Kalin Folden and Polhamus.
“I remember as a student at BU, having a Mr. Bluefield University competition that included a talent portion,” said Polhamus. “My friend Teggy (Brandon Tegeler, class of 2008), had someone standing in the balcony of the Chapel while he was onstage. The assistant threw three large marshmallows one at a time, and Teggy caught all three in his mouth! It was really impressive.”
Folden took the idea of a talent show to Anne Pelchar, director of student engagement, and the idea took off from there. “We thought it would be a nice way to show different talents than what we normally see in athletics,” said Folden.
The panel of judges for the event will be Hannah Ingo, Student Government Association president, Don Harris, mayor of Bluefield, Virginia, Jamie Null, director of Mercer County tourism, and BU President David Olive.
“It’s important for students and community members to get to know each other and for the community members to feel welcome on campus,” said Pelchar. “I think it’s fun to see another, really different side of people.”
The top three winners of BU’s Got Talent will receive prizes. This event is free and open to the general public.