The School of Communication welcomed back students with a picnic on Wednesday, Sept. 15. The event was originally supposed to take place in Village Park but was moved into Lawrence 200 due to weather circumstances. Faculty served students with pizza and snacks, giving them an opportunity to say hello in person, something returning students have not been able to do for quite a while.

The event began with an introduction from the Dean of the School of Communication, Bernie Ankney. He introduced his idea of starting a new Student Advisory Committee for the School of Communication, wanting to meet monthly to hear feedback.

“I want to create an environment where if you don’t like something, you can tell me, and you can tell me what you like,” Ankney said.

Ankney additionally plans to create a Dean’s Committee on diversity, equity, and inclusion. He wants to make sure that the School of Communication excels in those areas and he welcomes any guidance students can provide.

Ankney also wants to have some sort of social event each month for students and staff to come together, whether it’s a movie or miniature golf.

Furthermore, a few professors attended this event as well, expressing their excitement for the upcoming year.

Professor Chris Rolinson of the Photojournalism Department touched on how he wants to help students this year.

“[I want to help students] build their resumes and show them to potential employers,” Rolinson said. Photography professor, Ben Schonberger, also stressed his excitement about the opportunity for a ghost tour social event this semester in October.

Freshman journalism student, Taylor Cleveland, is excited to hear about these new groups and events.

“I’ve been trying to attend all the events on campus,” Cleveland said. “I attended this event because I already made some friends in the School of Communication through orientation week and wanted to meet some more people in my major and my school.”

Taylor is most excited to meet new people and make connections this year, as the School of Communication has been “very welcoming.”