By Emily Hernandez Dominguez, Campus News Editor
The campus pulses with a renewed sense of excitement as a new school year dawns upon Saint Leo University.
As the new semester approaches, students eagerly await the commencement of classes while also brimming with excitement for the array of upcoming events and activities that await them on campus.
At the heart of the excitement is the Campus Activities Board (CAB), a group of students who plan on and off-campus events for all students to participate in and enjoy, fostering an environment where students can thrive beyond the classroom.
“I’m excited for events that provide us with opportunities to socialize, and engage with other students, and most importantly bring us out of our comfort zone! I enjoy interactive activities that highlight other cultures and customs,” Anna Chavez, a senior at Saint Leo said. “I’m looking forward to ministry events especially.”
From the start of the fall semester, as classes commence, all the way through the end of the school year, students can anticipate a diverse range of on-campus events. These include a welcome-back celebration, bingo nights, themed study sessions, trivia nights, and the hosting of the infamous moonlight breakfast.
The events provide an opportunity for both commuter and on-campus students to connect, enjoy, and foster a sense of school spirit.
Destiny Diaza, who is a junior and a commuter, says: “I enjoy the bingo nights and the moonlight breakfast.”
One of the first CAB events students can experience is Bingo Night on August 27 at 6 p.m. in the Student Community Center (SCC) Boardrooms.
The events are organized by students on the board. The 2023-2024 Campus Activities Board is as follows: Ariel Munroe, multicultural, diversity, and the arts chair; Audrey Ang, marketing and social media chair; Judeah Moss, special events chair; Kevin Rivera Hernandez, campus engagement chair; Andira Astwood, traditional programming chair.
In addition to CAB, various organizations have exciting fall events planned. One of these organizations is Student and Family Engagement.
To celebrate the first day of school, Student and Family Engagement is hosting a ‘First Day of School Photos and Puppies’ event. Students can join them in the SCC second floor lobby on August 28 to get a first day of school photo and play with some dogs. The event will be held from 12 p.m. until 2 p.m.
Throughout the school year, Saint Leo students can always anticipate a vibrant array of activities and engaging events to be offered right on campus. From dance battling a fellow peer to win a prize at bingo to doing some late-night cramming before finals while in line for moonlight breakfast, the campus buzzes with opportunities for students to enrich their college experience.
To stay in the loop and make the most of these exciting offerings, students have several sources to explore. Students can find dates, times, and locations for specific events on EngageLeo, an engagement platform where clubs and organizations can upload their events with all the necessary information for attendees to find. Furthermore, students can also find contact information on the website as well.
In addition to EngageLeo, social media platforms like Instagram also play a significant role, with event updates, behind-the-scenes glimpses, and interactive polls keeping the student community engaged and informed. CAB events can be found at @saintleocab.
Moreover, students should keep an eye on their emails, as a newsletter regularly gets sent to their inboxes, describing the full lineup of upcoming campus events. This detailed newsletter from the Office of Student Activities serves as a guide, ensuring no student misses out on the chance to immerse themselves in the activities that Saint Leo has to offer.
As the months go by, different ideas manifest themselves into an event for everyone to enjoy. Students are bound to find something that resonates with their interests and passions. So, as the academic year unfolds, the anticipation of discovering new experiences and forging lasting memories remains an integral part of the Saint Leo journey.
