By Emily Haxwell and Matthew Cheek
Students learned about different majors, clubs, and volunteer opportunities at the 2024 Purpose at Peace Engagement Fair, an annual event held this year in the Hermann Athletic Center on Sept. 9.
The event has been held at William Peace University for seven years.
“It’s a way for students to get connected on campus resources and off campus resources all at once in one place,” said Erin Guarine, a WPU advisor who helped organize the event.
Students who attended this event could stroll through the 74 booths and talk to different faculty members from each major on campus, learning more about other majors if they are interested in switching majors, are undecided, or want more information about their own.
They also had the chance to meet with student led organizations and clubs to learn more information and maybe even join a club, as well as meet with community partners that give students the opportunity to volunteer, learn new skills, and more.
One of these tables was manned by WPU alum Abby Frelix, a development director for the Burning Coal theater company, a non profit organization that brings theatrical performances to the Raleigh area.
“One of the things that burning coal really wants to do is reach out to young professionals and college students that might not know that we exist because they’re new to the area and getting them involved in the arts,” Frelix said.
Another table at the event that drew a lot of attention was the Interdisciplinary Arts table, a new major offered at Peace that includes classes in visual arts, performance arts, writing and design.
“This major is kind of going to be a culmination of all arts majors that have been offered in the past,” said Caden Connor, an Interdisciplinary Arts major.
Crossroads Fellowship and Imago Dei Church attended the event to promote their Sunday services and weeknight events for college students.
“We’re trying to….help college students develop a deeper relationship with Jesus,” said Mark Stroup, the college and next-gen pastor at Crossroads Fellowship Church in Raleigh.
Making sure everyone is able to feel included and accommodated regarding different disabilities is always important.
“Our rows are wide enough for everybody to be able to get through, regardless of how you get through,” said Guarine “And then we do have some resources for students who have accommodations like our disability services office will be there if anybody wants to talk about ways to get accommodations on campus.”
Everyone enjoys free things, even if they are an incentive to come and visit. Students and staff were excited to see the return of Jay’s Italian Ice this year. Free trinkets, pens, fidget toys, and more were also available at most booths.
In the past Propose at Peace has been held outside, but due to unfortunate weather in 2023 the event was held indoors. Responding to the positive feedback from students and tablets who seemed to enjoy being indoors with the air conditioning, they decided to host it in the Hermann Athletic Center again this year.