Involvement fair and concert concludes WOW week

BY LINDSEY HUGHES / Multimedia Journalist

The 2024-25 school year is now in full swing at Tarleton State University, meaning WOW Week has come to an exciting close with the annual involvement fair and a concert on the lawn. The event took place Aug. 29, concluding the Week of Welcome.

Tarleton involvement fairs are a great way for new and returning students alike to discover new organizations and groups to join. Event Coordinator London Fair says that the main goal of these events is always to get students connected. 

“We want everybody to have a home at Tarleton and we feel student organizations are the way to go,” Fair said. 

This year’s turnout included more than 40 groups. Including sororities, spirit groups, special interest clubs and religious organizations. 

Kappa Delta Chi, Zeta Phi Beta and Alpha Chi Omega showed up sporting their colors and letters, to represent Greek life on campus.

PANKUS and The Plowboys came and lived up to their reputations as two of Tarleton’s most active spirit organizations. 

The Plowboys are one of the most recognized spirit groups at Tarleton, and for good reason. Member Cody Smith likes all of the different organizations and events the Plowboys go to.

“Everything, like football games, basketball, sports events, community service, the roundup, and the bonfire…we show up to support everybody on campus and volunteer time,” Smith said. 

Special interest groups took up the most room at the fair, with participants including: The Wildlife Society, Psych Club, Tarleton BBQ Association, Tarleton Environmental Society, The Pre-Veterinary Medical Association, Women in Business, CFFA, Tarleton Fisheries Society, Tarleton Students for Life, the Gay Straight Alliance, Tarleton Chemical Society, Tarleton ASL, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics and the Student Research Organization. 

Members Cavan Alexander, Zachary Jennings and Connor Scott of the BBQ Association spoke about what it is like to build and run a newer organization on campus.

“We started last year with doing tailgates,” Alexander said. “But then of course you have to move on from that at some point, and we realized really quickly because barbeque is expensive, that we’ve got to get money. So, we do tailgates and we advertise there, and we also do fundraisers.” 

Along with these groups, the churches and religious organizations Paradigm Worship, Catholic Campus Ministries, Hyphen Campus Ministries, St. Lukes Episcopal Church and Texans for Christ showed up, representing many of the different branches of religion that exist around campus and around Stephenville.

Singer Carson VanGundy performed at the event, singing both covers and original music. VanGundy has been performing since he was a junior in high school and stated that one of his current goals for his music career is to release an album, which he says is currently in the works. 

VanGundy got his start playing at farmers markets for exposure, and when asked what advice he would give to students who aspire to perform one day, he said that practice was very important. 

“Practice a lot… if you want to play shows, don’t do it for the money,” VanGundy said.. 

His music is out on Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube, and you can find him on Instagram @Carson_VanGundy. 

The next Tarleton involvement fair will take place on Sept. 4 at the purple patio, during lunchtime hours.

Another involvement fair specific to the college of math and science will take place on Sept. 5 in Math 125.