By Haris Sendijarevic, Reporter
Accounting and Finance Club officers and faculty advisors (from left to right: Avery Andrews treasurer, Kevin Cantley faculty advisor, Emily Klein Secretary, Randon Striplin President, Haris Sendijarevic Vice President and Brad Keuning faculty advisor) – Photo by Braden Roth
The Accounting and Finance Club hosted their first event of the fall 2026 semester. The event was a cookout on Thursday, Sept. 10 from 4:30-6:30 p.m. on Holmdene lawn. This event was more about giving students the opportunity to socialize with their fellow peers and faculty.
This event was originally planned for last week Thursday, but due to the whole week being hot and humid, it was pushed back. This was a great move as the day was perfect for a cookout with the weather being a cool 75 degrees fahrenheit, partly cloudy, and there being a slight breeze in the air.
“The best thing about events like this is when students who haven’t met each other before engage in conversation,” Kevin D. Cantley, Account professor, said when asked about what were his thoughts on how the Accounting and Finance Club event went.
This translated to the event being a success with many students coming and stopping by when they saw a large crowd form on Holmdene lawn. There were plenty of accounting students at the event, but there were also many non-accounting students as well. There was a diverse range of majors at the event from English to music education majors.
“The Accounting and Finance Club cookout was a lot of fun,” senior Andrew Curry said. “The hot dogs and the community were great. It’s a good chance to get to know people on campus if you’re new, or to see some old faces. I appreciate the efforts of the Accounting and Finance Club; those who are in charge of it, and also Professor Keuning for grilling up some hot dogs.”
Accounting professor and department chair, Brad Keuning, cooking up hot dogs – Photo by Haris Sendijarevic
Professor Keuning, accounting professor and department chair, was cooking two different types of hot dogs. The two types were jalapeno and cheddar pork and standard beef. Students were able to customize their hot dogs however they liked, and had an array of different side snacks to pair with their hot dog. Professor Cantley even showed some students how to properly eat a hot dog with shredded cheese. The proper way is to put the cheese on the bun first and then put the hot dog.
“The Accounting and Finance Club cookout was amazing,” senior David Day said. “It was a great time, surrounded by great people and food. It was a great way to be connected on campus. To chill with some friends and it was a good vibe. Hopefully the Accounting and Finance Club continues this and more people will attend. I recommend 1000 percent.”
There were three different types of potato chips and a cookie platter that students could choose from and put on their plates. The event also had a wide selection of soft drinks to choose from. The other attraction that the event had was a couple of lawn games for students to interact with. There was a football that students could throw to one another, and cornhole.
“I thought the event was really productive.” Randon Striplin, fifth year and Accounting and Finance Club President, said. “Being able to get faculty and students out in a non-academic setting to meet your peers outside of the class room, and to get some food. We were also able to talk about what the club has to offer in the future, the different career paths that students can take and some accounting advice going forward.”
Students enjoying the weather and interacting with the lawn games – Photo by Haris Sendijarevic
The next Accounting and Finance Club event will be held on Thursday, Sept. 24 from 4:30-6:00 p.m. at the Moose. This will be a mock interview event to help students get prepared for any interviews they may have gotten after going to the Calvin and Aquinas career fair on Wednesday, Sept. 23 from 3-5 p.m. Students will be able to interview each other to practice their interviewing skills, and can bring their resumes to have it looked over by Brigid Avery from the Advantage Center. After interviewing each other, students can look forward to an ice cream sundae bar and socializing.
