UMSL alumni, faculty, students and staff flocked to the East Lawn outside of the Recreation and Wellness Center for an afternoon of fun and friendship during the annual Mirthweek Carnival. (Photo by Derik Holtmann)
The Millennium Student Center and the East Lawn outside of the Recreation and Wellness Center at the University of Missouri–St. Louis were buzzing with activity all last week.
Members of the UMSL community came together to participate in one of the university’s most storied traditions – Mirthweek. An UMSL institution since 1986, the annual weeklong celebration promotes campus cheer and rewards students for their hard work inside and outside of the classroom during the fall and spring semesters. This year’s Mirthweek festivities ran from April 20-24, kicking off with the Student Leadership Awards Banquet. The slate of events, organized by the University Program Board and Office of Student Involvement, also included PBS Kids Bingo!, Chili Feed Redux and the Sunset Concert.
But the heart of the celebration ws the Mirthweek Carnival. On April 22, UMSL alumni, faculty, students and staff gathered on the East Lawn for an afternoon of fellowship and fun. Attendees tried their hand at classic carnival booth games, commissioned portraits from a caricature artist and tasted treats from a food truck. The more adventurous crowd took spins on rides like the Tornado and tackled the bouncy obstacle course.
Campus photographer Derik Holtmann and social media manager Valerie Furlong were on hand at the carnival to capture some of the fun.
Biology majors Maggie Lang and Nadia Manushev and marketing major Daira Sangurima take a whirl on the Tornado.
UMSL students hold on – or don’t – as the G-Force ride gets underway.
Electrical engineering major Clint Newry tests his strength at the punching bag as a crowd watches.
Not to be outdone, Director of Business Student Success Yuan Chen takes a takes a turn at the punching bag and shows the crowd she means business.
Students battle each other during a gladiator challenge.
Child advocacy studies student Jamie Hahn sits for a caricature after getting her face painted.
Professional jugglers kept attendees entertained as they walked between booths.
Lauren Johns performs during the Sunset Concert on Friday.
Members of the Pierre Laclede Honors College Student Association were honored for Best Overall Program during the 2026 Student Leadership Awards on Monday.
View more UMSL photos by visiting the UMSL Flickr and Instagram accounts.
