Program Board and Valley Nights have big plans to entertain students this semester.
The first is a pair of mixers for specific sets of students: one for students who commute at 5 p.m. Monday, Jan. 12, and the other for students who have transferred here from another college or university at 5 p.m. Monday, Jan. 12. Both will be held in the Student Life Programming Room.
The focus on these sets of students is intentional, purposed toward engaging them in campus life.
The first Coffee House is scheduled for Jan. 20, and will be hosted by Preston Pugmire, a touring musician.
Welcome Back Comedy Night will be in the Malcolm Field Theater at 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 24. Comedian Justine Marino will open for the comedy and musical group Dakaboom.
Beginning in January, Valley Nights will begin screening both highly-anticipated new flicks, like “Big Hero 6,” “The Hobbit: Battle of the Five Armies” and part one of “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay,” and old classics, like “Jurassic Park” and “Space Jam.”
Pinterest with Program Board starts up Monday, Feb. 2, in the Wedge Lounge. The event will occur every other Monday thereon.
Program Board, in coordination with Peer Health Education, will host a Condom Casino event around Valentine’s Day. Students will be able to place bets with free condoms and play other games in the atmosphere of a real Las Vegas casino.
Program Board’s largest event of the year will showcase Laverne Cox, best known for her role as Sophia Burset on the Netflix original series “Orange is the New Black.”
She became the first openly transgender person to be nominated for an Emmy in an acting category for her role. She is also a reality television star, a television producer, and LGBT advocate.
She was named a Woman of the Year by Glamour Magazine in 2014.
Cox will deliver a lecture at 8 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 17 in the O’Neill Arena. Tickets will be available beginning Monday, Jan. 12.
Eliza Lanway, communication junior and Program Board vice president, encourages students to attend her lecture.
“It would be beneficial to hear her speak because learning about and accepting diversity is important,” she said.
Program Board has then deemed the following week “Be a Hero Week.” The sacrifices of everyday heroes, like teachers, firefighters and police officers, will be recognized through various events.
Peer Health Education’s Thee House Party and Living Proud’s Drag Show will return in March.
April brings “Cardchella,” a large celebration similar to the Coachella Music and Arts Festival. Relaxation Night will take place the same night, offering attendees relaxation techniques and a performance by hypnotist Brian Imbus.
Program Board meets every Wednesday at 7 p.m. and Valley Nights meets every Monday at 7 p.m.
Both organizations offer membership to any student and have strong presences on social media, where information about all events is posted.