Science, engineering and free sweet treats brought WKU students, staff and faculty together on a hot afternoon. 

Ogden College of Science and Engineering held an “Ogden College Ice Cream Social” on Friday at the rock garden behind Hardin Planetarium to kick-off the start of the academic year and showcase the organizations Ogden has to offer. 

The event featured various student clubs and organizations in Ogden College, some of which included the WKU American Society of Civil Engineers, WKU Geology Club, the Equestrian Team, Meat Science Club and many more. Non-department specific clubs like Pre-Veterinary Club, Women in Science and Engineering and the Chinese Music Club also had tables at the event.

Big Red made an appearance at the event, visiting several tables, interacting with attendees and even taking a sweet treat before leaving.

Kona Ice and Chaney’s Dairy Barn trucks gave out free cold treats to attendees who had visited four different clubs. Attendees earned a sticker on a stamp card at each club.

Sheryl Hagan, administrative assistant to the dean of Ogden College, helped distribute stamp cards at the event. Hagan said the stamp cards encouraged students to visit multiple of, roughly 45 to 50 different booths that each represent one of the student organizations in Ogden, as well as clubs and organizations paired with a science field of some kind. 

Hagan said she implemented this event when she first started at WKU three years ago, and it’s grown every year since. The event gives students the opportunity to find where they fit in, which also helps increase retention rates, Hagan said.

“This is all of our science and our math people and our animal people,” Hagan said. “And everything that you learn here and the friends you make within these clubs, you are going to be able to have those for future references, for future jobs.”

Various clubs and organizations also gave out free merchandise and raffle tickets while pitching their organizations to guests.

Monica Galvez, graduate student studying geoscience, tabled at the event as a representative of the Green River Grotto club. The club had several different activities that simulated what they do when exploring caves. 

Some attendees tried to squeeze themselves into a small space the club made with wooden boards and planks, and others watched as members of the organization used rescue equipment and climbed a tree. 

“We just basically brought out all of our toys,” Galvez said. “And right now, I’m playing with my haul system.”

WKU American Meteorological Society President Wyatt Crutcher, senior meteorology major, helped run the White Squirrel Weather table at the event. Crutcher said the student forecasting group oversees canceling school in case of severe weather.

“We’re in charge of forecasting for whatever goes on, reporting that information in, and then with that, they’ll kind of decide if they close down the school or not,” Crutcher said. “It all comes on us.”

Crutcher said students should join the organization because they have fun while also being a professional student chapter with various opportunities. A couple of the organization’s students are going to a conference in Birmingham, Alabama, this year. 

Trace Stevens, freshman physics major, attended the event with a group of friends to see the opportunities in Ogden College. 

Stevens said his favorite table at the event was the Physics Club because he is already in it. He said it was also nice to branch out to other clubs and organizations in the college, though.

“I would definitely recommend it,” Stevens said. “Even if you aren’t in Ogden College, it’s still an opportunity for you to branch out because majors aren’t set in stone.”