When ETSU brings different activities to campus for students to enjoy, the Student Activities Committee helps bring this entertainment to life. They are the reason ETSU continues its Homecoming traditions. Another way they bring entertainment is by hosting popular artists to perform for students. Concerts have included The Fray, The All American Rejects, One Republic, Ludacris, The Goo Goo Dolls, Carrie Underwood and more.

Before the committee starts working on the concert the students decide who they want to perform.

To help choose, the SGA sends out a survey to see what genre of bands or artists the students would like to see. They then compile a list of the top choices and send it to students in another survey.

From there, the committee starts the process of trying to get the top artist. If they are unable to get that specific artist they move to the next one on the list.

“The Director of Student Activities Tricia Nguyen handles all the contractual aspects of the concert,” said Corrina Honeycutt, secretary of external affairs. “I handle the student volunteers for advertising, ticket distribution and volunteer staffing.

“For the concert to become a reality the university relies on student volunteers to help out with many different aspects,” said Honeycutt. “Volunteers help many different ways before, during and after the concert.”

Any student can help with the concerts. Students deal with merchandise, advertising, ticket sales, security, crowd control and the loading of equipment.

“I always enjoy working at the ticket (booth). I have helped out with five concerts,” said Nikki Potter, a senior from Elizabethton. “The best thing about it is getting to meet a lot of different people who all enjoy music.”

Students receive an opportunity to help with these concerts to get a view from the other side of the stage.

“I always have fun working the concerts,” said Shawn Stewart, a senior from Morristown. “I get to hang out with all of my friends and experience a lot of the things you do not see that happens behind the scenes.”

In spring semester 2010 the concert will be Jordin Sparks and Lupe Fiasco.

“I will be holding a recruiting meeting early in the spring to try and get some more volunteers,” said Honeycutt. “I hope we get new volunteers for this next concert. My favorite part of the concert is getting to know new student helpers.

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