Choosing the right fork, knowing when to fold a napkin, and finding the confidence to introduce yourself to someone new may seem like small details in a professional setting, but they can make a huge difference for students at the start of their careers.
For the 29 liberal arts students invited to The University of Texas at Austin’s Undergraduate Leadership Recognition Dinner on Thursday, Oct. 15, the evening provided a chance to practice those skills while building connections that could come in handy in the future.
Hosted by the College of Liberal Arts, the event began with a networking reception, giving students the opportunity to mingle with fellow honorees, recruiters, and other attendees. At the reception, about 50 people gathered in the San Jacinto Multipurpose Room, snacking on hors d’oeuvres and sharing conversation as they introduced themselves and built new connections.
The reception then transitioned into a dinner, with recognition remarks and dining etiquette lessons woven throughout the evening. Jacqueline Evans, COLA’s associate dean for student affairs, delivered the welcome and recognition remarks.
“Our mission [for this dinner] was to join together in celebrating the exceptional leadership of these service-minded liberal arts students and the impact they are creating,” Evans said. “COLA students are already changing the world for the better while on the Forty Acres, and it was a joy to bring them into community with alumni, employers, recruiters, and supporters and prepare them for the next steps in applying their learning in the world.”
Following Evans’ remarks, Kate Hogan, associate director for catering at University Housing and Dining, guided students through a lesson in proper dining etiquette. As attendees enjoyed their meals, Hogan shared tips on which utensils to use, where to place their napkins, and how to signal whether they had finished eating or were still dining.
The meal, prepared by University Housing and Dining’s culinary team, reflected a similar attention to detail. After months of preparation, the team developed a menu called “A Taste of Texas” featuring ingredients sourced from across the state, including a spiced pepita salad with a prickly pear vinaigrette and an entrée of guajillo coffee-rubbed chicken breast.
At the end of the evening, attendees received gift bags containing certificates of recognition as well as instructions for incorporating their leadership accomplishments into a resume or CV.
For Alexandra Castaneda, a senior health and society major on the pre-law track with minors in business and entrepreneurship, the dinner offered a chance to develop skills she hopes to carry into her career.
“As someone who’s about to go into the workforce, this is really beneficial,” Castaneda said at the event. “Today, I’m hoping to exercise my networking communication skills and meet a bunch of amazing Longhorns.”
Although she was honored to be recognized, Castaneda said she was initially surprised to receive the invitation. With so many hardworking students at UT, she said, being selected to attend the dinner meant a lot, particularly because two professors she knows closely nominated her.
Castaneda also emphasized the importance of taking initiative when building connections, particularly for students who may feel uncertain about approaching new people.
“One of the most important things going into college is knowing that almost everyone is or has been in the same boat that you are: feeling really uncertain and scared to talk to people,” Castaneda said. “But it’s so important to do it, and you really never know who you’re sitting next to in class or who your professors know.”
Her advice? “Take the opportunity, take the plunge, and meet someone new.”
Castaneda’s emphasis on connections reflects the broader purpose of the dinner, which aimed to celebrate student achievements while allowing them to sharpen their networking skills.
For junior behavioral and social data science major Delaney Vanderpool, the dinner offered an opportunity to practice navigating conversations and thinking on her feet. Although she considers herself comfortable talking to people, Vanderpool said professional events provide valuable practice in developing communication skills that can help students in their careers and everyday lives, especially as human interaction becomes less common due to technology.
“I think that it’s vital for us to be able to talk to other people and to connect as humans, and then if that leads to a job or an internship, that’s amazing,” Vanderpool said. “But at the end of the day, it’s the human interaction that is so beautiful and so important to who we are as people.”
For senior psychology major Kelly Gutierrez, developing those skills has been a gradual process. But as she prepares for a career in social work after graduation, Gutierrez said the dinner provided an opportunity to reflect on her growth, recognize the impact she has made during her time at UT, and feel appreciated for her contributions to the university community.
“I never thought I would be recognized at a leadership dinner like this,” Gutierrez said. “It’s like, wow, I actually made a mark in some way, you know? So it’s really incredible, and I really appreciate what the College of Liberal Arts is doing for us. It shows that they care really about their students so much.”