The Retort

Student Leaders on Campus

November 4th, 2011 by Patricia Hampton Of The Retort Staff

Student leaders gathered for a night of friends, fun, and food on Friday, October 21st for the Student Leadership Dinner. The event was held in the Student Union Building Fireplace Lounge and Ballroom.

Among the faculty and staff at the event were Chancellor Rolf Groseth; Vice Chancellor Stacy Klippenstein; Kathy Kotecki, Director of the Office of Community Involvement; Julie Seedhouse, Director of Alumni Relations; Jeannie McIsaac-Tracy, Director of Student Life and Auxiliary Services, Housing and Residential Life; and Aaron Clingingsmith, Senior Marketing Specialist of University Relations.

Student leaders invited to attend the event included club presidents and officers, Resident Assistants, Experience Leadership Project (ELP) members, and members of ASMSUB.

The evening began at five thirty in the fireplace lounge with fruits, crackers and cheese, and fruit smoothies. As students entered, they were greeted by Student Success Coordinator, Jessica Smothers, who provided an activity for students to interact and meet other campus leaders.

Students mingled with one another, caught up with old friends, and made new acquaintances. Conversations ranged from the progress of the student organizations they were there to represent, to the CW series “Supernatural.”

Prior to leaving the Fireplace Lounge, Smothers drew two students’ names – Jule Gray and ReAnna Kero – to win a large cup filled with candy.

The event then moved across the Galleria to the Ballroom, where Sodexo staff had prepared dinner for all of the attendees of this white tablecloth event. Students enjoyed dinner and dessert prior to the comedy show.

Dr. Klippenstein addressed the students, optimistic about the coming year and the projects that would be taken on during the coming months. He then welcomed Seedhouse to the stage. She thanked the students for their participation in campus growth as current students, and spoke of maintaining a relationship with the university after graduation.

Seedhouse then introduced local stand-up comedian, Mark Dawson. Dawson is an alumni of MSU Billings, and is currently working at Century 21.

Dawson began his program by requesting that Seedhouse be his first guest on the “hot seat.” Her most memorable confession was in regard to a fear of the campus turkeys who congregate outside of her office just off the main part of campus – a fear that may be familiar to students attending classes in the education building, where the turkey’s gather in front of the main doors, re-directing students to alternative entrances.

Throughout the rest of the evening, Dawson incited laughter as he questioned staff, resident assistants, and ASMSUB senate members alike. Even Chancellor Groseth was not immune, however he did think to offer Dawson a muffin to “go easy” on him. Groseth reclaimed the muffin before relinquishing the hot seat.

In addition to the Leadership Dinner, Stacy Klippenstein and ASMSUB President James Catlin held a forum in the Fireplace Lounge on Wednesday, October 26th.

This event allowed students the opportunity to eat a free lunch of taco soup, sandwiches, and cookies, and bring up any concerns that they may have had, or ask questions. Conversation ranged from textbook prices, to online course costs, to how ASMSUB functions in representing MSUB students.

Students have many opportunities to become involved on their campus – these two events are excellent examples of the possibilities.