Shaye Phillips, Features Editor–
On March 27, students and faculty crowded into Curtis Provost Dining Hall to take part in Denison’s third annual Major Day celebration.
Sophomores immediately rushed off to their department tables to sign their names on banners to mark the declaration of their majors. After which, they lined up to take photos with university mascot Buzzy the Buzzard. Meanwhile, first-years hopped from table to table to learn from upperclassmen and professors about majors they are currently studying or considering.
“This day is mostly meant for sophomores to celebrate what major they have declared,” said Amanda Ghiloni, the Administrative Assistant Office of Advising and host for the event. “My team and I started brainstorming the idea for Major Day three years ago. I wanted it to become a staple for Denison, and I’m really excited about the turnout each year.”
According to Ghiloni, sophomores have to declare their major by the end of their Spring semester or else it would be difficult to graduate on time.
“There’s just not enough time to squeeze in the classes if students start on their majors too late,” Ghiloni said. “Sarah and I can intervene and work with students who have started late but it’s really crucial to decide on a major by the end of the sophomore term.”
When it comes to the event itself, Sophomore Dean and Director of Advising, Dr. Sarah Rundell expressed a very positive view.
“It’s a milestone that sophomores are celebrating today and also an opportunity for the student community to come together and celebrate all the different academics Denison offers.”
Most first-year students at the event were content with perusing the options of potential majors.
“I am undecided currently and it’s not really a place I want to be in but there are upsides,” Michael Nelson ‘28 said. “It’s beneficial because there’s still so much for me to explore even though I don’t really know where I’m going quite yet.”
Within this academic year, Nelson has taken courses across eight disciplines. So far, he has not declared a major. Rather, he was happy to still explore all the different academic paths he could pursue.
“I am loving philosophy so far so maybe I’ll do something with that; however, I’m content to just get the lay of the land today,” Nelson said.
In contrast, Elliot Benson ‘28 came to Denison keen on pursuing mathematics as his major.
“It was really easy to pick math because I loved solving problems since high school.”
Currently, Benson is considering switching to double majoring in data analytics and education.
“These are two aspects that I have enjoyed that are both embedded in the math major. I’ve always liked working with kids and helping people in high school with their math assignments,” Benson said.
Tionna Wear ‘28 is also undeclared but her feet seem to be firmly planted in both the economics and theatre departments.
“I’ve always loved theatre; I did it for 10 years before coming to Denison,” Wear said. “The reason why I chose econ was because I became really interested in financial inequality and how that works in our society.”
Wear has found that the theatre department is very welcoming and that is where she has made most of her friends.
“The department has a lot of diversity in its students. If you like singing, acting, tap dancing, or producing, then this is the place for you.”
Several sophomores who attended Major Day were thrilled and eager to declare their majors after discovering their passions.
“Deciding on ancient Greek and Roman studies and women and gender studies was perfect for me because it killed two birds with one stone,” Zacc Greene ‘27 said.
Greene chose the women and gender studies major after taking Black Feminist Thought with Dr. Toni King, who retired last Spring.
“She really made me realize how at home I felt in the class,” Greene said. “Getting to do both something I love and something that reminds me of my experiences is perfect.”
Ethan James ‘27 declared his majors as economics and religion. “I decided to study economics partly out of interest and for practical reasons to get a job. I chose religion because I took the class White Christian Nationalism for a GE requirement and I just fell in love with it.”
James thought that although all the departments at the event were passionate when it came to their majors, he would never change his mind about the ones he had chosen.
“I don’t have any inclination to change my majors,” James said. “Religion will always be fascinating to me and even though I like it more than economics, I feel like both majors balance each other out well.”
Sophomores and first-years were not the only ones enjoying the event; juniors and seniors were all happy to share why they thought their majors were the best.
“Major Day is the most riveting event I’ve been to in a long time,” said Abby Jump ‘25, a journalism and theatre double major. “Journalism has to be the best major because it’s saving our democracy with facts.”
“I really enjoy studying the ancient world because it gives you lots more ways to communicate than you would think, especially when it comes to different cultures,” Ancient Greek and Roman Studies major Eliana Lazarro ‘26 said.
“It’s amazing to watch a department grow as much as the global health department has,” said Cassidy Orange ‘25. “In my freshman fall there were very few students majoring in it and even fewer classes. Three and a half years later, and we have multiple professors solely working for the department, all these classes, and alumni who are going off into careers with knowledge and passion for global health.”
As the event drew to a close, it was evident that Major Day left a mark on all students, regardless of class year. Several upperclassmen walk out with goodies from their departments and first-years with papers listing courses from the majors they have been introduced to.
Ghiloni is determined to keep Major Day an ongoing tradition as she enjoys watching as first-year students get a taste of what Denison has to offer for their academic careers.
“It’s fun to see the first-years come in unsure of what they’re going to do. I am excited for us to do this next year and see what majors they finally end up declaring,” Ghiloni said.
