JONAH LAGRANGE /THE CREIGHTONIAN
Creighton University’s Skutt Student Center is transformed into a brightly-decorated bustling atmosphere, where students are invited to discover new and exciting extracurricular opportunities.
There is a giant neon green sign by the fountain. Multicolored tulle, streamers and balloons adorn every inch of the Skutt Student Center and the Kiewit Fitness Center (KFC). One can hear blasting music and see the cheerful crowd of Bluejays on the mall from a mile away.
Thursday, Aug. 27, Skutt Shutdown took over campus, and the vibe was palpable. Skutt Shutdown is one of Creighton’s largest student involvement events, bringing together students from every class and every degree program. Students can learn about ways to get involved on campus while enjoying the free activities, collecting swag and hanging out with friends.
Freshman Keahi Lum Kee from the Heider College of Business said that he was excited to try out for the club quadball team. He captured the culture of Skutt Shutdown perfectly, saying, “Everyone is so inviting.”
This event is a fantastic way for the freshmen new Jays to explore different clubs and organizations that they can join. From major and degree-specific programs to pre-professional organizations, clubs and intramural sports, Creighton’s involvement opportunities are endless.
Evelyn Thornburg, a freshman from the College of Arts and Sciences, said that at Skutt Shutdown, “there’s really anything and everything that you could possibly ever want to do. It just brings such a great community into Creighton, especially as a freshman. I think that’s just so great to have those opportunities.”
She is a member of the new Premiere Club Softball team and is excited to check out Campus Ministry and the church choir.
Skutt Shutdown is not only a place for freshmen to learn about campus opportunities, but also a chance for upperclassmen to share their passions with new students.
The women’s Premiere Club Softball team is new to Creighton this year, but there are already mentors and upperclassmen lined up to welcome new recruits.
Sami Schonrock, a sophomore from the College of Arts and Sciences and a life-long softball lover, says, “ I’m just excited to grow a bigger community. I was a captain on my high school basketball team, and my favorite thing was making sure everyone felt welcome and mentoring people, making them better, mentally and athletically in the sport.”
One of the main goals of Skutt Shutdown is to build and strengthen Creighton students’ sense of community and of belonging. This event is intent on finding every Jay places on campus that feel like home.
Harvest Pak, senior in the College of Arts and Sciences, is the president of the Hawaii student organization, Hui ‘O Hawai’i, and she shares this commitment to building a positive, supportive community. She explained, “my favorite part about tabling for Hui ‘O Hawai’i is definitely the energy. I feel like my team and all the students really bring great energy and are always really excited … I never feel tired at this event. I love my team. I love my club members. They’re all just very positive.”
Sophomore from the College of Arts and Sciences, Ella Junck, said, “My favorite part about being an NSO leader at Skutt Shutdown is seeing all my RSP students come in and get so excited about seeing all these new clubs and hanging out with their new friends in RSP and getting to know people and seeing what they’re passionate about here and just being fearless and signing up for anything.”
Whether it is seeing your RSP freshmen get amped up for their first year at Creighton, signing up for something unexpected, or tabling for your club or organization, Skutt Shutdown is always filled with lots of enthusiasm and great opportunities to start your semester off right.