By Amy Salisbury: Editor-in-Chief
The library plaza buzzed with new and returning students alike during the Leave Your Mark fair last Thursday, Sept. 2.
Under a white tent sat more than 30 tables with representatives from organizations associated with CSUSM. The event’s purpose was to showcase many opportunities for students to “leave their mark” on the CSUSM campus and further their involvement, according to Student Life and Leadership.
Student Life and Leadership, SLL, sponsored the event and coordinated a mass photograph of incoming freshmen on the steps outside Academic Hall.
Free 20th Anniversary t-shirts were distributed to the freshman, and Crash the Cougar was front and center in the photograph.
“Witnessing the first year student picture was quite a sight!” said Kathryn Hayes, SLL student representative and President of Sigma Tau Delta, English Honor Society.
Hayes was pleased with the success of the event. “It was nice to see the enthusiasm from the first year students, as well as returning students, going through all the tables and taking advantage of the hosted events,” said Hayes.
SLL staff members Joshua Galea’i and Jennie Goldman ensured that the event went smoothly and all participating parties were well represented.
Four rows of tables beneath the tent offered information about their services from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. while a live band, Live in Los Angeles provided music.
Hope and Wellness Center, Math Lab, Writing Center, Eco Club, and PRIDE Center were but a few of the organizations participating in the event.
Melanie Slocum, a tutor at the Writing Center, was happy to have participated and predicts the fair will have a positive outcome on new students.
“Hopefully now students won’t have second thoughts about using resources like The Writing Center because they were able to meet a few of us and learn that we don’t really bite,” said Slocum.
SLL’s Weeks of Welcome events continue through Friday, Sept. 9. For more information, visit the SLL office in Craven 3400.