The Kendall College of Arts & Sciences held its annual Kickoff this past Friday.
On Friday, Sept. 18, the Kendall College of Arts & Sciences held its fourth annual Kickoff at Dietler Commons with food, music and a new merch drop. The event began at 5:30 p.m., with several student volunteers with the Kendall College Student Advisory Board handing out t-shirts and socks. The food was in a large marquee tent, with tables and benches spread around for attendees to congregate at.
Historically, the purpose of the Kickoff is to welcome students, faculty and staff back to campus and provide a space to build community. This year, however, the Kickoff was planned during the Parent and Family Weekend, which provided the additional opportunity for TU faculty and staff to meet the families of their students. “I think every parent I have talked to has been really, really pleased with what kind of classes they are having and the overall experience,” said Blaine Greteman, dean of Kendall College. “It’s been really great to just get a chance to connect.”
Senior political science major Madi Michajliczenko has attended this event several times and was one of the student volunteers with the Student Advisory Board. “I really like seeing families and professors and students all come together. It’s always good to see and talk to professors that I usually don’t spend time with,” she said. “It’s wonderful to … get an update on how their summers went [and] what research they have been working on.”
Charlee Hartley, a senior double majoring in history and philosophy and religion, said her favorite part of the Kickoff was getting to talk to professors. “I always enjoy … introducing my professors to my mother because they hear a lot about each other, and getting to introduce them was really cool.”
Greteman began the event by addressing the crowd, welcoming the attendees and expressing his excitement to see so many faculty, students and parents at the Kickoff. He asked faculty and parents to raise their hands to be recognized for their contribution to Kendall College before introducing the university’s marching band, the Sound of the Golden Hurricane. The band played several tunes for the crowd, including “Shake it Off” by Taylor Swift, “Toxic” by Britney Spears and the University of Tulsa’s fight song. “I like it when we have the band come and play,” Greteman said. “I really wanted … to showcase some of the good things they do. The band has really been growing year to year the whole time I’ve been here … they’re students before everything else, so it’s just a nice chance to socialize.”
The Sound of the Golden Hurricane performs at the Kendall Kickoff. Sophia Rehman | Collegian
The Sound of the Golden Hurricane was not the only music at the event. Caleb Bovell, a senior graphic design student, said his favorite part was the event’s background playlist. “When I was told that it was the students who had suggested the music, I really loved it more because I love the idea of student input.” The playlist for the event was a combination of picks submitted by Kendall College students and Dean Greteman’s playlist for his daily commute. Songs included “Crazy Train” by Ozzy Osbourne, “9 to 5” by Dolly Parton and “Sabotage” by the Beastie Boys.
Bovell’s father, Ronald Bovell, spoke about getting to see the environment his son was in. “It’s nice knowing your kids, the values and things that your kids grew up with, and they have gone away from home, but they’re still holding on to those values … that’s really enjoyable.”
The event concluded just after 7 p.m., with around 100 attendees in total. With food, music and conversation filling the Old U, the Kickoff gave students, faculty and families an opportunity to connect outside the classroom and celebrate the beginning of another year at the Kendall College.
