Under a white tent decorated with an arc of blue and white balloons, students from the College of Communications scooped Creamery ice cream for eager students and faculty on Thursday afternoon.
More than 65 students, faculty and staff of the College of Communications gathered Thursday on the Carnegie Building's lawn for its annual ice cream social to usher in the new school year.
Sponsored by the Office of Multicultural Affairs, the ice cream social offered students of all academic backgrounds a chance to learn what opportunities the College of Communications has to offer.
"It opens of the College of Communications' doors to let students realize their full potential within the college," said Joseph Selden, associate dean of Multicultural Affairs.
Students from all colleges gathered under the white tent of the ice cream social, mingling with College of Communications faculty and staff.
"I've seen people interact who I've never seen interact before," said Office of Multiculural Affairs employee Lindsey Zapletal said. "Especially students and faculty members. It's a nice way for new students to engage with faculty, staff and other students."
The event, open to all students, particularly embraces students in either the College of Communications or students in the Division of Undergraduate Studies, Zapletal said. The social gives the college an opportunity to advertise itself to undecided students.
"I think it's a really nice event," said Karle Yanocha (senior-telecommunications). "It's Creamery ice cream, and it's like the College of Communication's way to pay you back for all the work you do within the college."
Most students, regardless of their major, appreciated the college's welcome social as a way to interact with their professors outside the pressures of the classroom.
"I would appreciate if my department gave out free ice cream," said Maximus Weikel (senior-history). "It's a way to meet professors in an informal setting -- it's easy to have a conversation with a professor over a treat that everyone likes."
Both faculty and students agreed the ice cream social offered everyone a chance to meet both peers and professors, welcoming in a new school year and advertising opportunities for students in the College of Communications.
"The reason why we did this was to kick off the year for the College of Communications," said Selden. "And what better way than with serving our infamous ice cream?"
