Eta Sigma Gamma is a public health education society, dedicated to promoting public health and health education. The organization has more than 40 chapters that serve campuses across the United States.

The Ball State chapter hosts several events each semester to promote important public health information. Most recently, the group hosted the Eta Sigma Gamma Flower Shop to promote safe sex practices ahead of Valentine’s Day.

The group set up shop at the Scramble Light, where they sold flowers for customers to build their own bouquets, and handed out free chocolates and contraceptives. The pop-up flower shop was a success, selling out all of the flowers and handing out half of the contraceptives.

“I’m so happy that the event was a success, thanks to all our members showing up and showing out,” said Kaitlynn McKernan, the co-president of the Ball State chapter of Eta Sigma Gamma. “This event wouldn’t have been possible without the behind-the-scenes work of our team, as well as the support from Health Promotion and Advocacy team for donating contraceptives, and Amber Riggins, a recent Ball State public health graduate, for donating chocolates.”

The organization took inspiration from chapter member Anna Flemming’s high school Future Farmers of America (FFA) chapter, which partnered with 4-H horticulture to sell customizable flower arrangements ahead of Valentine’s Day.

“I know from my education that people have sex then go get STD/STI testing. Preventing that and encouraging them to seek testing was easy enough,” said Flemming. “The flowers came from my own experience, the FFA in my high school always partnered with 4-H kids who did floriculture for Valentine’s to make and arrange flower bouquets to sell to students.”

While the Valentine’s Day event has come to a close, the Ball State chapter of Eta Sigma Gamma will host additional events in the coming Fall. So, keep a lookout for their next event, and improve your knowledge of public health