The College of Liberal Arts’ Dean Office hosted the first “Welcome Back to CLAC” event, celebrating and showcasing all the departments, clubs and organizations under College of Liberal Arts and Communication.

The event took place in the Humanities building, occupying the foyer and atrium for tabling and welcoming students back for the Fall semester on Sept. 4.

Cherisse Jones-Branch, Ph.D., Dean of Liberal Arts and Communication, said the idea for the event occurred before she officially assumed the role as dean. She said with the help of other associated deans, they aimed to create an opportunity to highlight the college’s majors, minors and clubs.

“We want everybody to come out of their departments and wear their A-State gear and let these students know what we have to offer in the college,” Jones-Branch said.

There were snacks, refreshments and music at the event, allowing attendees to mingle and explore the various tables representing departments, clubs and organizations.

“I want people to have fun and I want them to know that you might just be coming over here for Einstein Bagels or whatever, but we’re doing really fun and interesting things here, and we want you to be a part of that,” Jones-Branch said.

Jaden Martin, administrative analyst for CLAC, said the departments set up their own tables for display, creating opportunities for students to connect and get involved. 

“We’re hoping that students go visit the departments that they either are a part of or interested in and to get a feel for the college as a whole,” Martin said. 

11 departments within CLAC attended, comprising History, Political Science, Pre-Law Program, Art + Design, Creative Media Production, Music, Sociology, Media and Journalism, English, Philosophy and World Language. With ten estimated total clubs and organizations tabling, some being the Student Research Center, Writing Center, Communication Center, Chess Club, the debate team, The Herald, KASU and ASU-TV.

Johnathan Reaves, the Media and Communication academic advisor, played music and danced as his persona, “DJ I-Be-Cheesy” outside the Humanities building for students and faculty. 

“As long as students get a laugh out of it, as long as they get an opportunity just to have some fun, that’s what this is about.”

For students, this was an opportunity to showcase and provide insights on what their club or organization is.

Alyssa Willie, a junior middle level education major from Jonesboro, tabled for the Phi Alpha Theta and History Club to get students interested in learning about what the club entails.

“Our whole thought process behind this table is trying to make sure that we get enough students interested in learning more about history,” Willie said. 

Aubrey Defries, a graduate student in communications studies from Jonesboro, said it was important for her to share the academic honors society’s mission to help A-State students with speeches and presentations for people in communications classes.

“We wanted people to know that we are a resource that they can utilize,” Defries said. 

With the success of the inaugural “Welcome Back to CLAC” event, Martin said future prospects for the college regarding events will be “bigger and better.”

“We just want to let students know that this whole college is a community,” Martin said. 

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