Comedy duo clowns around with Harper students

Harper College students returned to campus last week, but not just for classes. During their first full week, they found a series of events designed to welcome them back and make the college, well, feel more like a college.

Activities included an ice cream social, live remote radio broadcast and pool tournament, as well as a set of information tables where students could ask for directions to classes, where to pay fees, where and how to add and drop classes.

A highlight of the week was the appearance on Wednesday of the comedy duo, Alfred & Seymour, who combined break dancing with stand-up, and drew nearly 600 students to gather for the lunchtime routine.

"It was one of the best shows we've had outdoors," said Terry Karow of the student activities office.

Alfred and Semour, who are cousins, brought students up for mini-dance competitions, picture taking, and playing guitar with Styrofoam pool noodles. The duo toured last year with comedian Dave Chappelle, and have appeared on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno as well as MTV's Top Twenty Countdown.

Harper officials say they sponsor the events as part of an orientation week to help acclimate students to Harper's layout and immerse them in campus life.

"We want to show them we're glad they're here," Karow said. "This is a way to get them involved with the student activities office, and the Campus Activities Board, which sponsored this event."

The orientation activities came during a buzz of activity on campus, as the college welcomed an overflow enrollment of students who began the new semester.

This year began with 8,745 full-time students, which represents an increase of 4.68 percent over last year, and 14,233 students overall, including its part-time and auditing students, for an increase of 2.73 percent.

The noontime activities continue this week. Today at noon on the quad, students will see Mad Chad Taylor -- a dare-devil juggler who calls himself "the most dangerous man in comedy" -- who will be juggling live chain saws and flaming tennis balls.

The question is: How do you return to classes, let alone eat lunch, after that?