High school and college students plan for future

The Student Success Center, which provides academic advice to Weber State University students, sponsored the 2009 Weber State Major Fest on Wednesday.
According to Jill A. Grob, director of the Student Success Center, it was a big success. Over 71 majors and programs were represented in the Shepherd Union Building ballrooms, from Learning English for Academic Purposes Program to Masters of Health Administration.
“We begin planning for Major Fest a year in advance,” Grob said. “Right after the Major Fest is done we start planning and asking ourselves what can be done better for next year.”
Grob said each year becomes easier and more efficient. 1,800 students from local high schools and current WSU students who have not chosen their majors attended the fest, according to Grob.
“That number is up 19 percent compared to last year. We were at full capacity, and plan on expanding the Major Fest for the growing numbers next year.”
Debbi Rese, a senior at Viewmont High School in Davis County, said she chose WSU over other Utah universities because of the ease in finding a scholarship and information on the elementary education major.
Carrisa Sinnott, a senior and history major, represented the Feminists United Network Club at the Major Fest. Sinnott is president of the club and encouraged people to sign up for not only the club but also the women’s studies minor. The Feminists United Network exists on campus to combat oppression and bigotry in their many forms and provide a forum for the plurality of feminist thought to humanize the image of feminists and create a web of support for feminists within the campus community, according to their mission statement. 
The military was also represented with the ROTC programs. Jacob Stawiski, sophomore and political science major, joined the Weber State Air Force ROTC last year during Major Fest. He also picked out his political science major at this year’s Major Fest. He said he hopes to be a pilot for the Air Force after graduating. The Air Force ROTC program provides the opportunity for college students to become officers in the Air Force after completion of a bachelor’s degree. The Air Force ROTC program also holds classes at the University of Utah.
“You sign up for classes here and receive Weber State credit, but the classes are down in Salt Lake,” Stawiski said.
It was also Scholarship Day at the Union Building, sponsored by the WSU Financial Aid department.
“We offered more than 1,700 scholarships to high school students on for the next school year,” said Jed W. Spencer, financial aid director.
Scholarships are offered according to the students’ GPA and ACT scores. Students are offered a Presidential, High Honors, Honors or Achievement scholarship if they qualify.
“We hold Scholarship Day with Major Fest to help give high school seniors the opportunity to mingle with faculty and staff and get a feel for what Weber State is really like,” Spencer said.
The financial aid department encourages current students of Weber State, no matter what year they are, to sign up for scholarships. Priority deadline is January 11. Students can still sign up for scholarships after this deadline but those that sign up before January 11 will have priority. For academic advisory information visit the www.weber.edu or call 801-626-7678.