JagCon welcomes the geek community of Augusta University
By Cody Robertson | Staff Writer
Comic book and pop culture conventions have been a staple of the nerd community, and in recent years their popularity has only grown. Now Augusta University seeks to get in on the action and provide pop culture enthusiasts with a free event just for students.
“JagCon is a celebration of geek and pop culture. We’ve seen over the past two years interest in video games and geek culture so this is an opportunity to provide a niche to that community,” said Joshua LaFavor, chair of JagCon’s planning committee.
On Friday, September 6th at 10 a.m. students can begin enjoying the many amenities spread across the JSAC and Maxwell Theater on the Summerville campus, like trading cards, minifigure painting, video games, Dungeons & Dragons and more.
Meal tickets will be provided to the first 100 attendees after checking in to the event. Students will be able to choose one free meal from Taqueria las Ruthis, Smokeshow BBQ or Lilly Tea & Bread and extra food may be purchased.
Main panels will be held in the JSAC Ballroom beginning at 10 a.m., featuring topics such as Taylor Swift in pop culture, learning how to animate art and representation in geek culture.
The JSAC will also have video games in the game room, “learn to play” Dungeons & Dragons sessions in the Butler room, a Magic: The Gathering Commander demonstration in the Coffeehouse and an Augustus minifigure painting activity in the Hardy room.
JagCon will be free for all AU students and will culminate in a cosplay contest with a $1000 grand prize at 5 p.m. in Maxwell Theater.
“I’m excited for the cosplay contest, I want to see what the students create. We actually have a judge who has judged at San Diego Comic-Con, so I’m looking forward to that,” said LaFavor.
First place in the cosplay contest will receive $1000 in scholarship money, with second place at $500 and third at $250. Prize money will go directly to the winners’ Pounce accounts. Students can also enter as a team with up to five members.
Maxwell Theater will also host a Dungeons & Dragons live-streaming event presented by Cardboard Castle and the AU D&D Club starting at noon and ending at 4 p.m.
“There is a lot of space left for volunteers, so definitely sign up if you’re interested,” said LaFavor.
The 1st Annual JagCon will be held on the Summerville campus on September 6 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Students interested in volunteering can email Joshua LaFavor at jlafavor99@augusta.edu
Contact Cody Robertson at corobertson@augusta.edu
