The Legion of Black Collegians Freshman Action Team hosted its annual speed dating event Tuesday.

The event consisted of speed dating and a cakewalk for a red velvet cake. The event also had pizza and other snacks.

Marnae Chavers, FAT chairwoman, directed people on topics to talk about and when to switch partners. Questions included favorite places to eat on campus, pet peeves and favorite holidays.

Many people who attended the event were there to meet friends, not a valentine.

Timothy Jones, a freshman at the event, joked he would take the speed dating seriously.

“I’m fixing to find the love of my life,” he said. “We’re going to get married.”

Another participant, Ellen Hinze, said she wasn’t there to meet a valentine.

“I’m such an independent woman,” she said. “It’s more of a friending opportunity I see.”

Others said they wouldn’t mind meeting a valentine.

“I was trying to find something fun,” freshman Whitney Haywood said. “If I find (a valentine), that would be cool.”

Emerald O’Brien, a freshman attending the event, said she was attending to take the work out of dating.

“I don’t like going on dates,” she said. “If I can shorten the process, that would be perfect.”

The event was in planning for about four months, FAT member Dionna Williams said. She said she and other FAT members control the Twitter page, which was used to publicize the event.

Many people said they heard about the event from friends or community calendars.

“We heard about it, then found it in a calendar,” Veronica DeStefano said. “We were like, ‘Let’s go, because why not?’”

Freshman and FAT member Teyunna Burton said she knew most people there, though she did meet a few nice people.

“It’s not about dating, it’s about making friends,” Burton said.

LBC Secretary Anika Arties also attended the event, though she did not participate in the speed dating. Arties has done it in past years, but said this year was her favorite. She said Marnae wanted people to interact more.

“I came to support,” Arties said. “I’m a senior, and there are a lot of freshman and sophomores, so I’m old. But I may join in a few games.”

Chavers said speed dating is about networking and getting to know people in the community and that the event didn’t take very long to plan or much money out of the FAT budget.

“I’m really happy with the turnout,” Chavers said. “It’s been exciting.”