Central Michigan University graduate student Nick Cavallo said he would rather meet people at events like speed dating than at loud parties.

"You get to meet a lot of people in a short amount of time and you don't have to yell over the music to get to know them," Cavallo said.

Cavallo was one of seven males and 13 ladies who attended the speed dating event in the Bovee University Center Wednesday evening. The event was held to raise money for the CMU Student Physical Therapy organization.

Speed dating became a fundraising idea last year when members of the Student Physical Therapy organization noticed other schools had large turnouts with similar events.

"We saw that bigger schools tried, so we said 'why not?' No harm, no foul," said doctoral student Whitney Kalajainen. "We need more support for the clinic than us, and any money is going toward the clinic so that's great."

Doctoral student Aleece Andersen said the event was more popular last year but she believed the smaller numbers were due to the inclement weather.

The participants of the event spent six minutes with each potential date. They were given cards to write down 'yes' or 'no' after the date. If two people wrote 'yes', they were sent the date's e-mail address after the event.

Muskegon sophomore Chelsea Zobl said she enjoyed the event because it was something different.

"It's an opportunity to meet people in a kind of secluded area," Zobl said. "It's nice to know you don't have to let it get awkward real fast."

Hazel Park freshman Roxanne Sizemore also said she enjoyed the event. While waiting for her next potential date, she observed the other interactions.

"It's nice to see everyone enjoying themselves," she said. "I haven't seen any disappointed faces yet which is a good sign."

This event raised $200 for Hands for Health, the organization's free clinic which is located in The Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow College of Health Professions building on CMU's campus.

The clinic, open on Wednesday nights, is run by physical therapy students and professors for patients who do not have health insurance.

Andersen said the organization plans to host this event again next year.

Also check out this video about the Hands for Health clinic.

GCM photo by Kayla Rusin

By Alana Goeringer

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