By Chase Polyak in College Days, Student Life on January 29, 2024
Director of Student Activities Brianna Cyr discusses exciting events sponsored by the Student Activities Office.
Ripon College’s Student Activities Office (SAO) is hard at work preparing events for the Spring 2024 semester. Bri Cyr, the college’s director of Student Activities and Orientation, held the first major event of the semester, the annual Yule Ball, on Jan. 20 in Great Hall.
Students walk by and dance in front of the entrance to Great Hall, decorated for Yule Ball. Photo Courtesy of Rickie Bailey.
Students enjoyed food catered by Sage, a photo booth, and a DJ, and were greeted upon entrance by President Vickie Folse, and her husband, Dick Folse.
“Thanks to everyone who came, everyone looked stunning,” Cyr said while discussing the event.
SAO is also busy this time of year facilitating sorority and fraternity events. Fraternity Bid Day took place Jan. 27, and Sorority Primary Recruitment will begin Jan. 31 and end with Bid Day Feb. 3.
On Valentine’s Day, the Student Life department will host a Cookies and Cocoa giveaway for, “a little treat because we love our students,” Cyr said.
Cyr also looks forward to Feb. 15.
Left to Right, sophomores: Madison Riebe, Hailey Krueger. Taylor Nelson, and Samantha Schaefer at Yule Ball. Photo Courtesy of Rickie Bailey.
“I’m very excited about National Wisconsin Day and chili cook-off! Last year was so much fun and I’m a huge fan of soups and stews so it’s very fun to sample the chilis,” she said.
In celebration, SAO will host its second annual chili cook-off, where students can vote on their favorite chilis as prepared by faculty and staff. There will also be an opportunity to enter for a Wisconsin-themed raffle basket.
Anti-hazing speaker David Sollman will visit campus Feb. 27, and present on the topic “Hazing Works and Other Lies” at 11:15 a.m. in Great Hall. Sollman’s presentation will be free and open to all students, staff, and faculty.
Cyr is also excited for Feb. 29, when students will have the opportunity to attend a private showing of “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” at the Campus Cinema in downtown Ripon. There will also be free popcorn.
On March 2, SAO will partner with the Campus Recreation department to sponsor a trip to the Wisconsin Herd basketball game in Oshkosh.
“This is a new event. Transportation will be provided,” Cyr said.
Cyr enjoys planning events and finding new ways to engage the student body.
“My favorite part of planning campus events is early on in the process when the event is still an idea. Brainstorming a theme, decorations, menu options, and a unique, experiential component is a really fun way to be creative and try new things. I also really love attending the events and seeing the students making memories together,” she said. “Follow us at @RCstudentlife on Instagram for updates!”
More events will be forthcoming on SAO’s schedule for the semester, and any questions can be directed to Bri Cyr, or students can visit the Student Activities Office, which is located across from room B12 in Pickard Commons.