JCPenney at the Greenwood Mall hosted an event Tuesday evening for students to “suit-up” for their future. 

The event marked the start of JCPenney’s annual deal with WKU’s Career Development Center, which gives students a 30% discount for business apparel. The discount is active for three months, starting in September and ending in November. Wayne Simpson, associate director of the Career Development Center, said an average of about 350 students utilize the deal each year.

“I’m a Western alumni, so this is important to me to help other Western students,”  Laura Anthony, beauty lead at the JCPenney, said. “It’s important that you have affordable clothing because I know that college is a lot sometimes, and can be a big financial burden.” 

Simpson said the collaboration aims to assist students in dressing more formally for potential job interviews after graduating from college. Jackson Sutton, a senior Environmental Science major at WKU, took advantage of the discounts in preparation for his job hunt after graduating. 

“I don’t have any fancy clothes for an interview, so that’s what I’m here for today,” Sutton said. 

With the help of Danielle Phillips, a sales floor supervisor who has advised many students and alumni with dressing tips to look professional, Sutton left with a shirt, tie and pants without breaking the bank.