Have a coke and a hug

Students visiting the Smith-Brown Memorial Student Union Thursday morning were in for a refreshing surprise as Coca-Cola graced the University with its one-of-a-kind vending machine.
From 11 AM until 2 PM, amongst a gathering of students eager to see what was happening, Coca-Cola representatives lured students into hugging the vending machine, which in turn dispensed a coke.
Appropriately called the “hug machine”, the device works by requiring students to place one hand on each side. It then dispenses an ice cold drink to the student, sending them on their way with a smile.
According to Coca-Cola’s website, the purpose of the machine is to spread happiness in an otherwise tense environment.
Alexandria Nelson, a freshman majoring in nursing from Texarkana, Texas, who was one of the first students to receive a drink from the machine, said how excited she was to participate.
“My friend called me and said she was hugging a coke machine so I came over here,” said Nelson “Who would think if you give a hug you would get something for it?”
Nelson also said that even though she didn’t really drink coke, the promotion was an exciting thing for students to participate in.
Freshman class Vice-President and history major, Carlon Johnson, also took his turn hugging the vending machine and talked about how excited he was that students had a chance to participate.
“I’m glad this opportunity was able to get students together and get them involved,” said Johnson, adding that he might just “hug the machine again”.
Roderick Crockett, a Business Development Manager and representative for Coca-Cola reiterated that statement.
“This was something we wanted to do as a surprise,” said Crockett, “To give back to college students who are our number one demographic,” he finished.
Crockett estimated that the hug machine would give away more than 600 sodas to SU students while it was on campus.
The hug machine is currently on a nationwide college tour and is making its way throughout Louisiana, already visiting colleges in Lake Charles and Lafayette.
After Baton Rouge the machine will end its journey through Louisiana in New Orleans, before being whisked away to other unsuspecting college campuses all across America.
Crockett said that so far the “hug machine” has been embraced by more than 3,000 students all across the country with even more on the way.
“This machine is going to be hugged by the world,” finished Crockett.