Major Madness highlights MSU programs

At Major Madness on Wednesday, Feb. 23, in SUB Ballroom A, students were encouraged and given the opportunity to explore most of the majors and departmental programs MSU has to offer. MSU not only provides an extensive number of majors, but also boasts ample program events and resources in most of their departments. 

Majors like Physics, Mechanical Engineering Technology and American Studies were represented by student and/or faculty representatives, and programs like the Leadership Fellowship and the Army ROTC were also present for student inquiry. 

Major Madness was organized into five 10 minute “rounds.” In each round, students chose a different table to sit at, which had representatives from around three separate majors and/or programs. Students chose majors/programs that interested them, then spoke with upper division students and faculty. Most volunteers also handed out supplemental materials, such as curriculum sheets and pamphlets. Between rounds, the University Studies department held raffles for volunteer and student prizes.   

A particular program I found interesting was the Leadership Fellowship, which was represented by a faculty volunteer who emphasized that, in order to receive a Leadership Certificate, a student must not only learn the properties and behaviors characteristic of leadership styles, but also fellowship, which has an expansive range of causes, styles, effects and characteristics. The amount I was able to learn about the Leadership Fellowship curriculum, as well as leadership and fellowship individually, is a perfect example of the quality of representatives at Major Madness, as well as the effective format of the event. 

The majority of students I interacted with were either freshmen or sophomores, and were undecided or considering adding a minor to their current university track. An event like Major Madness would be a prime event on MSU Fridays, enabling prospective students to interact with as many students and majors as they want. Currently, MSU Fridays allow visitors to interact with the faculty and students of the major they are presently interested in, which narrows the ability of visitors to explore the range and depth of programs and departments that are at MSU.