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Students have been brushing up on their Bingo lingo this semester as first years take part in an innovative and engaging new campus challenge.  

There are no traditional cash prizes in the Plymouth Jackpot Bingo game, though, and there are no numbers drawn by a caller. No daubers or dabbers either to mark off your numbers. Students take part by attending club meetings and events, immersing themselves in campus traditions, and using Plymouth State resources throughout the fall 2022 semester.  

Rewards all have educational value and include a set of Apple AirPods, a Macbook Pro laptop, a parking spot for the 2023–24 school year, priority housing selection, and the jackpot—several scholarships in varying amounts to be used in fall 2023. 

Bingo! Right? 

“We’re getting students back out into the community as we come out of the pandemic,” says Kyle Hastbacka, associate director of the new student experience, who oversees new student programming and orientation. “The past two years, students have stayed safe in their rooms. We want students back out and engaging again. Come out of your rooms, hang out, and socialize!” 

Early Bingo squares could be won by completing online orientation modules, taking part in Panther Days in August, and attending events sponsored by the Office of Student Life. Wellness events, club meetings, performances at the Silver Center for the Arts, and events that promote diversity and focus on career development are all fair game; there are dozens of opportunities.  

The idea for the game came from the President’s Office, with a goal of engaging students and helping those who are active on campus to more easily afford the Plymouth State experience. 

“Finances are a major area of concern for college students,” says Matt Wallace ’10, director of admissions. “Providing this incentive to engage in activities that lead to sustained student success will help all participating students, even if, in the end, they do not win any of the scholarships. This is a wonderful, creative effort led by the Student Life Team, and I know it will pay off.” 

Hastbacka says a steering committee began creating the rules of the game in April, and once the semester launched, students pressed “play.” New students in their first semester, including transfer students, are eligible.  

“Students are excited about the scholarships, and the parking spot and priority housing selection are coveted,” Hastbacka says. “It’s been fun to talk to the students and families about Jackpot Bingo—especially when you list the prizes and see their facial reactions.” 

There are five tiers of game cards. In Tier 1, students must cover all 25 squares; in Tier 5, they need to fill only 10 in the shape of an X to be eligible for some prizes, but to win a $1,000, $3,000 or $6,000 scholarship, students must cover all 25. 

Students document their progress online, and prizes will be announced in December at the traditional Last Night Breakfast event the last Sunday before finals begin.  

As they get involved and take their chances, students are developing clever approaches. Some events and activities could count on several different card squares, for instance. “They can only choose one square, so the game is making students think strategically,” Hastbacka says. “Everyone who participates fully in Plymouth Jackpot Bingo will be a winner, however, as it’s promoting that sense of community and home that drew them to PSU in the first place.”