UCA’s Class of 2028 tested their luck with slot machines, table games and bingo Aug. 19 at casino night, hosted by First Year Experience and the Student Activities Board.

Angel Ramirez, a freshman cybersecurity major, said he was enthusiastic about the event.

He said his favorite part was “yelling and spending fake money — but yelling, most importantly.”

Maggie McGowen, graduate assistant for First Year Experience, said there were several prizes for students to win, including Beats headphones, Lego sets and a JBL Flip speaker.

“Every student is given a raffle ticket when they get in, so every single student is eligible to win a prize,” McGowen said. “Then, if they win things such as bingo or some of the other games, they can get an extra ticket.” 

Inside the Ronnie Williams Student Center, students played slot machines in the food court as well as table games in the ballroom. Outside in the amphitheater, students played bingo with UCA President Houston Davis and Vice President of Student Affairs Robin Williamson.

Senior Cade Womack, a Student Orientation Staff member, said casino night is a good example of the fun events UCA puts on throughout the year.

“I love how there’s so many different options for students to have fun and to just enjoy themselves,” he said. “It doesn’t always have to be super serious. It can be a little bit fun at times as well — that’s part of the college experience.”

Kayla Wyatt, a freshman history and political science double major, said the music from the event encouraged her to attend.

“I was like, ‘You know what? Let me go outside tonight,’” she said. 

Emmie Balch, a freshman communication sciences and disorders major, said her favorite part of Welcome Week was the convocation, which took place Aug. 18 in the Farris Center.

She said she enjoyed “seeing everybody in one place.” 

“It was really exciting to know that these are my peers now,” Balch said.

Ramirez said his favorite part of Welcome Week has been “interacting with new people from all over the country.”

Womack said Welcome Week is a way for upperclassmen to help freshmen acclimate to college life.

“My favorite part of Welcome Week is just getting to know so many different people from many different backgrounds and hearing their stories, but also just seeing their goals and their dreams for when they start college,” he said. 

Wyatt said she is looking forward to “being in a challenging academic environment and also being able to go to campus events.”

Balch said she is looking forward to “meeting new people” and Ramirez said he is looking forward to “making new friends.”

Wyatt said she is looking forward to “being in a challenging academic environment and also being able to go to campus events.”

Womack said his biggest piece of advice to incoming students is to get “well-acquainted with people.”

“This is like the start of your life,” he said. “This is the first time that you’re free, and you get to live on your own, so doing things that you want to do, whether that is a certain club or organization or a major — whether that’s like a science major, or like nursing or PR or journalism — it’s very important to learn who you are through those experiences.”