K’Shatriyah Humphrey
Blue & White Flash/ Staff Writer
Jackson State University’s Office of Undergraduate Recruitment and Transfer Ambassadors held their annual “First Thursdays” event in the Engineering student lounge on Jan. 17.
The semi-formal event lasted from 6 – 8 p.m. with music and refreshments for guests. The goal of the event is connecting transfer, non-traditional and veteran students to different organizations on JSU’s campus. It served as an opportunity for students to learn and know the leaders on campus.
Representatives from various organizations such as Finally First, G.I.R.L., Collegiate 100, NPHC, MADDRAMA, JSU Global, Campus Activities Board, JSU Mass Choir and Outspoken gave students a chance to become knowledgeable about their perspective organizations.
Some had a chance to sign up for membership at the event. If an application was not ready, students were able to join that organization’s GroupMe.
Krystyanna Moore, CAB/ SGA Representative for MADDRAMA was present at the event and spoke on behalf of the organization.
“Maddrama is a performance troupe where we perform all over the country. Our main goal is to educate and entertain. We hold interest meetings in the fall, and students will be able to apply for membership after the interest show,” said Moore.
First Thursdays are usually held in the fall, and this was the first time Community College Recruiter Paul Scott decided to host a spring event. The event has been held for five years now.
“This is a highly successful event with 40-50 students which give them an opportunity to get them involved and learn about the different organizations. It also allows them to have a one on one session with representatives so they can have any question answered that they have,” said Scott.
Representatives for G.I.R.L and JSU Mass also expressed their organization’s goal and mission.
“G.I.R.L. was founded on the need for advocacy and resources for women’s rights. On campus, we host community service events, community baby showers for mothers in the city of Jackson as well as other events. We have an executive board, committee and general members. We are always accepting new members,” said Tierra Lemon, the secretary for G.I.R.L.
“JSU Mass is a singing organization, but we are open to students who know how to work media, dancing, drawing, just about anything. It is an organization for anyone who likes to be around people,” said Brittany Woods, secretary for JSU Mass.
Students also had the chance to apply to become a JSU Transfer Ambassador, which is an organization designed to assist Community College Relations in the recruitment of community college transfer students.
Any student was eligible to attend the event. Many were pleased with the outcome and even called the event helpful for transfer students who are new to the campus.
Kiyah Hillman, a senior education major from Jackson, Miss. stated, “I attended First Thursday to make a better connection. Being a transfer student, it is already difficult to connect with other organizations on campus, so the event helped me in that area as well as meeting other transfer students as myself.”
