"Totally free and totally fantastic"

One of the things about growing a writing center is that you have to be out there publicizing your message/vision to everyone. Today, I had the opportunity to meet with first-year students under a big white tent on the quad, along with fifty-or-so clubs and resource offices such as the Campus Activity Board and the Health Services office. We didn’t have any of the fancy swag that other groups had. No stress balls, back packs, tee-shirts, or water bottles. We didn’t even have magnets or fancy brochures. But we had candy, flyers, and my loud voice.

Now inside, my voice isn’t always an asset, but outside, it is a gift. Competing with the music, cheerleaders, and general din of the event, my camp counselor training kicked in and I was able to attract the walker-bys and entice them over. I found myself without a plan initially and saying stupid things like: “Come to the writing center. It’s totally free and totally fantastic,” but after I while I found my groove and found ways to let them know about us and to even learn a little about them.

They seem like a neat group of students: interested, curious, and seemingly invested in their education. I particularly liked one guy in an Of Mice and Men tee-shirt. He couldn’t remember where he got it, but told me if he saw it for sale again, he’d let me know. There were many interactions like that. Students just wanted to share and be noticed. So many of them said, “You’ll see me there [at the WC]. I’m going to need a lot of help.” And we’ll look forward to seeing them too. The more the merrier.