By Caroline Grant | ContributorThe faint scent of popcorn wafts through the halls of Augusta University’s Jaguar Student Activities Center, also known to students as the JSAC, on a crisp Wednesday morning of Oct. 4.The hum of indistinct chatter lingers from the JSAC Ballroom, indicative that a school-centered event was taking place. Students walked into Major Fest 2017, which began at 9:30 a.m. and continued until noon. Upon entrance to the room, students were greeted by a number of assistants, ready to present them with bags to collect any informational brochures or complimentary swag.Leeann Walker, an academic adviser, explained what Major Fest is all about.“Major Fest is where students come together and explore all majors that are offered here at Augusta University,” Walker said. “They may be interested in getting their master’s degree or Ph.D. and know what pathway they need to be on, and they have the opportunity to meet and greet.”Undeclared and declared students alike flocked to the event from all across campus to make their rounds at each booth designed to spread information about every major offered at Augusta University.Grace Cornelison, a French major, said it was her first time attending to Major Fest.“I wanted to explore other majors to see what each one is about,” Cornelison said. “I really like the environment here. Everyone’s chill, everyone’s trying to promote. They’re friendly, they’re talkative, and it’s exciting to see what’s going on at Augusta University. It’s diverse. There’s free food. What more could you want?”Dr. Kim Davies, Department Chair of Sociology, Criminal Justice, and Social Work, couldn’t help but comment on the success of the event.“We had to back up our table a little bit because we were having so many students come up that we were causing a traffic jam,” Davies said.Although the event was targeted to students who wanted to learn more about each major, a handful of students ran into some surprises along the way.“I’ve already encountered one student this morning who didn’t even know we had a Department of Music,” said Dr. William Hobbins, director of Choral Activities and a professor of Music.Hobbins, and many professors like him, made appearances at the event to spread not only information about what they teach, but also the value of what they teach.“We have a strong but small department, and students are more than just a number to us. I think people realize that there’s significant merit in all creative arts, not just as ornaments to an overall program of study, but each as an individual discipline. People involved in creative arts tend to perform better academically and tend to be more peaceful and self-fulfilled people because there’s no reason to be here if you’re not feeding your soul.”Hobbins said it’s about more than just making a living with one’s major or degree.“No amount of money can make you happy if you’re dissatisfied with your profession,” he said. “This isn’t a rehearsal. It’s real life, and undergraduate students may not know all the answers yet, but it’s certainly time to ask the questions.”Such questions were indeed asked by inquiring minds who came to learn more about the fields of study at the university. It was those who had a hand in leading the event that had not only the answers, but more importantly, lifelong guidance to give.Contact Caroline Grant at cargrant@augusta.edu.