Sadie Jones
A&E Editor
Cameron University freshmen met and mingled with fellow students and numerous faculty members — including CU President John McArthur — at the Freshman Ice Cream Social from 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. Sept. 12 in the CETES Conference Center.
Freshmen received their nametag from the Director of Conferencing Services — Jonna Brown — and chose from a variety of ice cream and toppings provided by the primary caterer for CU events, Sodexo.
While students ate their sweet treats — McArthur enjoyed conversing with each student, asking questions and getting to know the new freshmen.
“From my end — it’s a great way to meet the new freshmen students,” McArthur said. “We’ve built up what Cameron is going to be like, and it is a chance to make sure everything is going okay after the first four weeks of class — make sure they are adjusted and introduced to other faculty members.”
Meeting other administrators is something McArthur said he believes is important because it allows students to feel recognized, involved and cared for throughout their education at CU.
“It is vital for students to know who the administrators are — that they are not a group of unapproachable people,” he said. “When students see members of the faculty in the MCC or walking across campus, they can feel comfortable stopping and saying hello to them.”
This year marked the seventh ice cream social held at CU. McArthur said the attendance varies each year from 40 to 80 students.
“Usually the event is held at the Cameron House,” McArthur said. “But since my wife and I won’t be moving into the house until Sept. 19 — we’re holding it here. Students are able come and enjoy ice cream and talk with each other and the faculty — and when they have finally had enough of us, they can leave.”
The event also gave the faculty the chance to familiarize names with faces and show they truly care about the students’ experience at CU.
“We like to put name tags on all the new students when they come in,” Brown said. “It is a great way students can know we want to know them specifically by their names and that we care.”
Brown agreed with McArthur’s view about the purpose of the Ice Cream Social and hopes in its success.
“The Ice Cream social is a good way for students to interact with the administration on a personal level,” Brown said. “It is a nice welcoming event.”
The activity proved to be enjoyable for students as they willingly introduced themselves and interacted with fellow freshmen; many also voluntarily sought out information from CU faculty and staff.
Caley Lampkin, CU freshman student and Animal Science major, said she came to mingle with her fellow students and also looked forward to meeting and talking to professors and other members of the campus faculty.
“It was nice that this event was held,” Lampkin said. “We got to come and get free ice-cream while meeting new people.”