Campus Connection

CBA first-year students start the year off right

Akin to speed dating, the annual CBA First Year Meet & Greet appears to be mass confusion. Students dart from one table to the next, stopping by for a fun-sized candy bar and a huge portion of information about a CBA department, program or student organization. But out of the chaos comes coordination. “It gives first-year students, including new transfer students, an opportunity to engage with faculty and others they would otherwise probably not meet,” says Corinne Rheineck, dean assistant in the CBA Office who organizes the event. First-year student Lindsay Spellman from Waunakee attended at the encouragement of her dad, who is a professor at UW-Milwaukee. “I want to get to know about other majors in case I want to consider switching majors,” says the declared accountancy major. Spellman is also looking forward — she’s getting ideas about where to study abroad. “I’ll probably go to IE University in Spain,” she says, having gathered information about Brown University’s campus in Europe. [caption id="attachment_53038" align="aligncenter" width="594"] Carson Radl, a first-year student from Sauk City majoring in finance, says the CBA First Year Meet & Greet gave him a chance to think more broadly about the college’s offerings in other disciplines, as well as student student organizations.[/caption] Carson Radl, a first-year student from Sauk City majoring in finance, says the event allowed him to step back and think more about other CBA disciplines than just finance. “They are really interesting and I’ll definitely consider adding one to my major,” he says. Radl was also attracted to the many CBA-related student organizations. “I’d like to get more involved on campus,” he says. Associate Lecturer in Management Kelly Nowicki was attending, representing her department, the CBA Sustainable Business Minor, and Delta Sigma Pi, a professional fraternity organized to foster business studies. She says the Meet & Greet is a good opportunity for both those who think they know their major, along with those undecided. “It provides knowledge and awareness of what the CBA has to offer,” explains Nowicki. “It’s putting a face to the programs and departments.” Students attending also walked away with a “LIVE CBA” t-shirt, along with door prizes from departments and an opportunity to win the grand prize — early registration. Those who visited a required number of stations in the room were entered into that drawing. “They will be the first student to register – even before the seniors,” says Rheineck. “They get to pick out their perfect schedule.” This year’s winner of that grand prize was Lexi Burton, a marketing major from Rochester, Minnesota.