Students and staff walk and talk during Wander and Wonder

Ella Kitchens, Asst. News Editor–

On a cold December afternoon, students and staff gathered on the fourth floor of Slayter to celebrate the holiday season with a discussion about family traditions. 

Throughout this semester, The Center for Belonging and Inclusion has hosted the Wander and Wonder: Dialogue On The Move series. The topic of the Dec. 4 event was personal and family traditions.

“Right now we’re between Thanksgiving and winter break,” said Leah Argyle, program coordinator for The Center for Belonging and Inclusion. “Returning home after living independently for months can be challenging, as you transition from managing your own life to being seen as ‘the kid’ again.”

Participants walked around with someone they did not previously know while discussing traditions that were important to them, and reflected on the importance of traditions for both participants personally and society as a whole.

An array of cookies, hot chocolate, and apple cider was available for participants after their walk.

“As everyone is experiencing their traditions, it’s fun to learn what other people do in their traditions, too,” Argyle said. “And it makes for an eye opening and engaging conversation to realize that others do things a little differently.”

Though previous events have been held on the Reese-Shackelford Common, this one was inside Slayter because of the cold weather. Previous events have included topics such as global experiences, conflict resolution, and election reflection. 

The Center for Belonging and Inclusion has partnered with the Hoaglin Center, Knowlton Center, Global Studies department, and Spiritual Life to host these events. 

“Our goal is to foster campus-wide collaboration and engage with a diverse range of individuals,” said Argyle.

Before every event, Argyle creates flyers on Canva, puts the event on What To DU, works with catering, sets up the table of snacks and drinks, and checks students in. After the event, students fill out a survey collecting data about the event. This survey is handled by Richard Brown, who came up with the Wander and Wonder topics and looks at how it can be improved.

“As the Center for Belonging and Inclusion, part of what we do is bring people together and create community,” said Argyle. “And these [Wander and Wonder events] give people who may not often talk to each other a chance to have a conversation.”