SPC Ramps Up for an Exciting 2025-26 School Year
SPC leadership with Sarah Sherman during the Fall '24 Freshmen Welcome Week Photo Courtesy of Gavin Gilooly '26
The start of the semester at Marist University is always filled with excitement, but this year, the Student Programming Council (SPC) is raising the bar with one of its most exciting welcome week schedules yet. With a mix of nationally recognized performers, fun social gatherings and beloved annual traditions, SPC's goal is to help students, especially first-year students, feel at home and connected from the very beginning.
On Thursday, August 21, after the first-year students' first full day on campus, SPC hosted its annual comedy show with Saturday Night Live's Michael Longfellow and comedian Sienna Hubert-Ross. Longfellow has become one of SNL's newest standout performers, while Hubert-Ross brought her own fresh comedic style to the lineup that has gone viral on social media.
The following evening, first-year students were invited to a magic show. Derek Hughes had an exciting show filled with illusion, humor and audience interaction, keeping the audience on the edge of their seats. With the weekend filled with info sessions and getting acclimated with the Marist campus, these events were an excellent way for students to unwind while still meeting new people.
Aside from the headline events, SPC has worked to plan a series of community-centered events throughout the first week of classes, from annual favorites like the Block party, where the campus green transforms into a hub of food, games, and bonding, to creative events such as dorm decor making and Speed Friending, with a sweet twist of ice cream offering a fun and easy way for new students to break out of their shell.
Behind the scenes, SPC carefully tailors its programming to student interests. SPC President Gavin Gilooly ‘26 explained, “We do a comprehensive survey of what the student body is looking for, and work around that. For example, at the beginning of each fall semester, we send out a survey for our annual Spring Concert and then make our programming decisions based on the preferences of responses. This is something we consider in all our campus events and programming.”
Last year, SPC brought in ASAP FERG to headline Marist’s Spring Concert, with Laundry Day as an opening act. Beyond campus, they kept the excitement going by organizing unforgettable trips to New York City for Broadway musicals and exciting sporting events, all of which students can sign up for through the Hometown Tickets App.
Freshman year can be daunting for many students, and SPC strives to be an outlet for all students to come and get involved. Gilooly added, “I would recommend putting yourself out there as much as possible. We typically have two to three events per week (plus pop-ups and off-campus trips), which are great ways to hang out with friends or meet new people. Also, Marist has an incredible variety of clubs/organizations, so there is something for everyone here.”
SPC plans to collaborate with more Marist clubs and organizations this year to bring more students to their events and increase engagement.
Gilooly ‘26 said, “I am most looking forward to some of the new events this semester that SPC has never done before and maximizing student satisfaction at all our events.”