The Chairs Speak: McCombs Kick-Off

Melissa Dunn, 2011 McCombs Kick-Off Chair

When I attended McCombs Kickoff my freshmen year, I remember looking around and thinking, “THIS is what a college event is like.” Between the t-shirts, the boat, and the sheer enthusiasm, I was in awe of the day and those that had put it on. Two years later, I stand on the cusp of autumn, chair of that very same event.

McCombs Kickoff is McCombs’ annual beginning of the year bash that includes a boat party on Lake Austin, swimming in Barton Springs, games in Zilker Park, and (this year) even a concert in the park. The day is filled with fun, friends, and free stuff, and freshmen make bonds that hot day in August that last the rest of their college careers. For the next four years it is not uncommon for two people to meet in a class or organization, stare at each other for a second, and then realize they had actually met at Kickoff their freshmen year. Or when people find out I’m in UBC, they brighten up, saying, “Y’all put on Kickoff, right? That was awesome!”

One thing that I love about the Undergraduate Business Council, my home for the last two years, is its ability to bring together the entire business school, and not just its own members. Often times, I pass fliers stuck up around McCombs put up by this group or that and wonder if I can actually attend, or if the event is for members only. In UBC, we put it right on the publicity- our events are not for our members, but for the enrichment of the college. VIPs, Case Competitions, and especially Kickoff, would never reach their massive size if these events were meant for UBC only. In fact, we spend countless hours in audit meetings tooling with ideas to get MORE non-UBC attendance at our events—what other organization does that?

This year, I am all too happy to boast that Kickoff is going to be amazing, and we’re doing it with the help of not just our current members, but our extensive UBC alumni network as well. Of the two bands that are playing our concert (for free!) one, Suite 709, is comprised of five members, two of whom were on UBC’s executive board back in the day. The other singer, Sevan, is managed by one of UBC’s seniors from last year, who started his own record label while in college. And our vegetarian food options are being catered by an alum who took the McCombs dream and decided to open his own food trailer. These are the inspirations that UBC members have to look up to, and the standards of creativity and excellence our organization sets before us.

On August 22nd, 300 McCombs freshmen will get their first taste of college, two days before they ever enter a classroom. They will congregate on the South Mall, nervous, excited, and totally unprepared for what the next four years holds. But with the help of UBC, the Kickoff Committee, our executive board, and our team leads- they will be ready for whatever comes next. And really, what’s not to love about that?

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