When walking through the University of Tennessee’s bustling campus, most students will find themselves throughout the school year stopping at a handful of events. The Center for Student Engagement frequently hosts events in the Student Union, 21st Mortgage Plaza, or elsewhere on campus to bring students together and provide spaces for Vols to balance their academic life. While many may make it to a few events of interest per year, one student recorded an astonishing attendance at 88 CSE events in a year, surpassing the student with the second highest attendance by about 40 events.
As a transfer student attending UT, Kori Turney knew that she wanted to take advantage of everything the university had to offer, especially the wide range of CSE events. Beginning with events at the start of the school year focused on getting to know the city of Knoxville, Turney dived in to several of the planned events, helping her to get acquainted with UT as well as make new friends, noting that two close friends were made at these initial CSE outings. As the school year continued, Turney, a senior, would look through the calendar of events to plan to go to as many as possible based on her class schedule.
“I was nervous transferring two years in if I was going to find a community, and luckily I have been able to, and I think that’s been very helpful,” Turney said.
While most of the events CSE hosts are available to students to attend for free, Turney’s favorite opportunity has been seeing Broadway musicals at the Tennessee Theatre with discounted student tickets. Managed by CSE, a small allotment of student tickets are available for $20 each when various shows are in town. Other favorites from Turney’s avid event experience have been a book swap and ComiCon.
Not only does Turney make a schedule for herself, she also shares a calendar with other students, striving to increase attendance and participation. She shares the calendar in various campus organization group chats, promoting events as a self-proclaimed “mini event ambassador.” Other students have told her that they found her calendar to be helpful and were more likely to attend knowing that they would have a friend going as well.
Living on campus was another factor that encouraged Turney to attend events as frequently as possible, taking advantage of the short walk from her residence hall to campus settings. Overall, students living on campus find it more convenient to attend events, and Turney, who has spent her time at UT living in Vol Hall, particularly found the short walk to the Student Union helped her stay involved. Especially when first adjusting to college life, Turney encourages students to branch out with the events they may choose to attend.
“Even if you don’t like the event itself, if you want to make friends, go to events,” Turney said. “Free food: college students love free food. At a minimum you’ll get a snack.”
Turney also makes sure to include her service dog, Corduroy, in the fun by bringing him to events. Not only does Corduroy help her to focus less on the crowds that may come with CSE events, he also can be a great conversation starter to meet new people, Turney noted. In fact, a lot of Corduroy’s training to be a service animal took place on UT’s campus. Turney emphasized how the events she has attended provide the necessary space for herself and others to step away for a minute as needed, encouraging students to not let this concern restrict them from attending and getting involved.
“Kori’s story is a testament that students can make friends and build their UT community simply by stopping by a game night or crafting event,” said Ashleigh Moyer, CSE director. “It’s in the small moments where big friendships can be made, and it feels great that our team can be part of making those happen.”
As graduation approaches, Turney is continuing to attend as many events as possible. When reflecting on her involvement with CSE, Turney values the connections made and the welcoming space to spend time with friends.
“I’m going to miss the community that I’ve made,” Turney said. “I like that I get to see my friends every day because there’s events almost every day.”