Students welcomed during Back to School Bash, Showcase

Campus organizations and community businesses took over the Quad on Aug. 29 after Bucky’s Back to School Bash combined with the ETSU Pride Community Showcase.

Fraternities, sororities and a variety of local businesses set up tents to inform students about what they do on campus and in the community.

“We’re facilitating student engagement with welcome week by giving students a reason to come out and learn about student organizations, fraternity and sorority life specifically today,” said Anthony Walls, the Student Activities and Organization’s media and marketing assistant. “Basically, we know that students that stay on campus with events will be more likely to stay from the fall to the spring, so we’re just making sure they have a good time and engaging them after they get done with their first class.”

Many fraternities and sororities were set up at the event trying to recruit new students and inform them about Greek life.

“We’re really big on encouraging girls to support each other in doing things that they may not be brave enough to do on their own,” said Peden Massey, Vice President of Membership for College Panhellenic of ETSU. “Getting involved in their major, making sure that they’re staying on top of academics and being involved in the community through philanthropy.”

While Greek life was one of the focuses of Bucky’s Back to School Bash, there were many other campus organizations present, such as Outreach and Advocacy: Sexuality Information for Students (OASIS) and the Residence Hall Association.

“We’re just hoping to make as many people that live on campus right now feel welcome and like they have some place to go and something to be a part of, because everybody that lives on campus is a part of RHA,” said Residence Hall Association National Communications Coordinator Cidni Wells.

The ETSU National Alumni Association, which co-sponsored the ETSU Pride Community Showcase, were also present.

“We are trying to raise awareness that we are available after graduation and before graduation,” said Cyndi Ramsey, the Alumni Coordinator. “We sponsor this event along with the Johnson City Chamber of Commerce just to promote area businesses to students and to have a connection between campus and the community.”