The College of Education held a Fall Fest Welcome Celebration August 18 to welcome new and returning faculty, staff, and students to the college and to campus. The focus of the celebration was to build relationships and community spirit, along with plenty of food and even an inflatable obstacle course.

“We wanted students and their families to feel welcome,” said Kathy Ryan, undergraduate academic adviser for the college. “We wanted them to feel excited about the new (academic) year and being a part of the College of Education.”

Attendees had the chance to talk with local teachers and volunteer coordinators and mingle with faculty and staff. Representatives from the Urbana Fire Department and the Urbana and Campus police departments were also on hand to give safety demonstrations.

Ryan, who had the idea for the Fall Fest, is quick to credit fellow Pre-Teacher Academic Adviser Joe Cross.

“He really took the ball and ran with it,” Ryan said. “It was Joe’s idea for the inflatables and he was really enthusiastic about getting people there.”

Ryan and Cross hope to make the event an annual festivity.

“It was a great interactive event,” Cross said, “not only between the faculty, staff, and students who were there, but also among campus departments.”

Ryan said the icing on the cake was how involved all the faculty and staff became to make the event a success.

“It was all so positive,” she said. “It was truly collaborative.”

Ryan and Cross would like to thank the entire College of Education for pulling the event together, including Adva Steiner-Waranyuwat for including secondary education students, the Student Academic Affairs Office, the Advancement Office, the Dean’s Office, Communications, and the Business Office, as well as student volunteers and student organizations.

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