About 40 prospective students gathered at Fain Fine Arts Center on Feb. 5 at 9:30 a.m. for the first Discover MSU, hosted by Admissions of  the year.

Dustin Webb, assistant director of admissions, said, “I think this is incredibly beneficial for students because it shows them all that we offer, as well showing them that they have access to the deans, teachers, and other faculty.”

The prospects got to see the art, theater, facilities, and the mass communication facilities. They also got to meet the teachers and faculty.

One of the things they saw was the ceramics room. While seeing this, Steve Hilton, ceramics professor, made a pot out of clay. The students seemed interested and focused on this project, and that made Hilton feel confident in his department.

Hilton said, “I loved seeing their focused faces. Their smiles really boosted my confidence in my work, and in the program. It made me feel like a rockstar.”

Siany Closs, a possible future art student, expressed her interest in the ceramics department. 

“I really enjoyed it. It’s not something I’ll probably focus on when I’m here, but it was still really cool to see that we’ll be taught by somebody who knows what they’re doing and that feels as confident as he did while making it,” Closs said.

Close said the tour made her consider MSU further.

Closs said, “I loved seeing the 3D designing process, and seeing how they are able to use everything they have. No tool or prop is ever ‘useless’ to them. Seeing that really made me start to consider this school more than I have been.”

Richard Closs, father of Siany Closs, said he also liked the school, and felt comfortable sending her here.

“Everyone looked like they knew what they were doing, and they were very persuasive. If Siany chooses this school, I would have no problem with it,” he said.

While mass communication department was scarce on students, it did receive some attention. Michaella O’Brien, one of the higher recruited mass communication prospects, attended the event, and liked what she heard and saw.

“I like that it’s a smaller school, and I like that they have so much resources for journalism. I already wanted to come here, but now there is definitely no question. I will be attending next fall,” O’Brien said.

Admissions has hosted Discover MSU for two years, according to Webb, and will continue for years to come.

“We feel very confident about this event. It represents all of our departments in a positive way, and it’s a good way to recruit the students. We will continue to attend high schools everywhere so we can recruit students to come here and attend these events,” Webb said.

There are five more Discover MSU events throughout this semester. Here are the dates and places:

*Dillard College of Business Administration on Feb. 12

*Bolin College of Science and Mathematics on Feb. 19

*Prothro-Yeagar College of Humanities and Social Sciences on Feb. 26

*Gordon T. & Ellen West College of Education on March 4

*Robert D. & Carol Gunn College of Health Science & Human Services on March 11.