The new University Program Board (UPB) is excited to bring big things for students next year.
The new staff consists of Mallory Milberger (President), Dillon Tones (Vice President), Willem van der Wende (Director of Media Relations), Ryan Ferguson (Director of Concerts and Comedians), Celine Halt (Director of University Events) and Nina Bracci (Director of Speakers).
UPB puts on speakers, concerts and other events throughout the year. This year, some things UPB organized were the fourth annual Color the Rock 5k, “Full House” star Jodie Sweetin and baseball player Alex Rodriguez coming to speak, in addition to Lil Wayne’s concert.
“We all have a very strong passion for UPB so we took the next step,” Ferguson, who is currently a junior marketing major said. “We started out freshman year in one committee which led to three or all of them.”
Their curiosity about the behind-the-scenes of bringing entertainment to students led them to get involved.
“Ryan was actually my roommate freshman year and would always come back and tell us he knew who was coming but wouldn’t tell us. So I got interested in it,” Tones, a junior Integrated Marketing and Communications major said.
“I had always wondered how we got artists and speakers here. How it all happened behind-the-scenes was interesting to me,” Wende, sophomore Digital Media and French dual major said.
Halt, a freshman public health major, had found out about the organization before she was even a student here, and made it a priority to join it right away.
“For college, you get out what you put in. You need to have a little bit of fun with it,” Halt said.
Typically, UPB puts on a fall and spring concert. This year, instead of both, UPB put on just a spring concert. It is currently unknown if they will do this next year or not.
“It all depends on artists availability and our availability and current trends,” Ferguson said. “We have to go along with what’s relevant and try to custom tailor a concert that will best fit the student body and community.”
However, all six e-board members agreed they are excited to bring new things to the university next year, and students can expect big and exciting things, beginning right away with fun activities during the first week of classes so UPB will be present and known throughout the year.
“The first week of classes should be a lot of fun. We have some cool stuff planned,” Milberger said.
UPB staff hopes to have bigger interactions with members and all of the student body to provide the best entertainment possible for the student body and community.
UPB is also always looking for new members. One of their goals this year is to have more of a relationship between committee members and directors and have more student involvement.
It is much more than an organization for communication majors, they all agreed. Students who enjoy art can help with design and people who are into marketing and design have opportunities to use their ideas.
“This is one of the best opportunities for a student in terms of involvement and leadership,” Tones said.
“It is a way of creating college memories while gaining professional experience,” Milberger said.
