SPRUCE PINE, N.C. — It’s the gray last day of September, and Mayland College is trying to throw a celebration, after a year where it often felt like there wasn’t much to celebrate. An alien-themed, inflatable laser tag arena has taken over the campus greens, but the air feels heavy. With clouds overhead, and the possibility of rain mounting, most of the students have opted to stay inside, grabbing free food as a DJ spins up nostalgic ‘90s jams.