The Academic and Resource Fair provided students with information about all the scholastic options offered at the University of Idaho Feb. 23 in the Kibbie Dome.
Chris Doman, assistant director of outreach, said he is excited about the growth of the fair, as opposed to the smaller format of similar fairs in the past.
“I’ve been involved with fairs like this in the past that worked in a much smaller setting, but the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival being more campus-centered has helped make this event grow,” Doman said. “In the past, we’ve done things like this off campus, and it really took away from the energy the event could have had.”
Leonard Garrison, associate director for the School of Music, said the goal of the event is to make connections with young students, let them experience the campus and to encourage them to continue their education after high school.
“It’s important that we give people a chance, when they’re here on campus, to absorb all the university has to offer,” Garrison said. “These young students may not be thinking about going to college yet, but it’s important to establish contact with them and show them all the great things UI has to offer.”
Eric Larson, assistant dean for the College of Business and Economics, said he believes this fair is a perfect way to recruit students to the university.
“This fair is fantastic,” Larson said. “We need to do this more often. The more students that can be exposed to our campus, the better.”
Madison Seymour, a UI student, said she believes talking to kids while they’re young is the best way to inspire them to pursue a college education.
“It’s so great to have these young kids on campus, to get them involved and exposed to what a college looks like, and how it operates,” Seymour said. “It’s also good for students of the university to intermingle with the prospective students and share thoughts back and forth with them. It’s good for everybody involved.”
Alyssa Harlar, Alexa Lords and Madison Bames, all middle school students from Genesee, said they want to attend the university when they get older. Lords said she wants to major in music, Harlar said she wants to be a nurse and Bames said she wants to become a veterinarian.
“I love this school,” Harlar said. “The layout of the school is so great, and I’m excited to be here for Jazz Fest.”
Andrew Ward can be reached at [email protected]