The once multi-colored lights go dim, leaving only one eerily soft, white spotlight to be focused on the comedian on stage. 

Specks of tiny dust particles flutter throughout the air. The comedian is dressed in casual acid-washed ripped jeans and a white Hanes V-neck and plaid flannel along with charcoal gray converse. A slight glimmer of sweat reflects off of his broad forehead under the hot light, and he takes out his handkerchief and wipes his brow. 

The comedian taps his microphone gently, as if afraid that it will impulsively explode with each delicate touch. 

Lots of buzzing chatter, excited voices, and joyous laughter infiltrates throughout the room. Students’ eyes twinkle bright with happiness and cheerful smiles spread across each face as the comedian confidently says his opening liner. 

Shortly after, howls of laughter bounce off of the walls and echo down the long hallway outside of the auditorium. The stand-up comedy show has begun. 

Ashland University’s CAB is a student-run organization which hosts a variety of activities for AU students to come and enjoy on campus. 

 Events include everything from movies, comedians, magicians, Grocery Bingo, hypnotists, ice-skating in the winter, game nights, free bowling on Thursday’s at Lurray Lanes, blood-drives, Spring Fest, acoustic cafes, and a plethora of concerts, such as We The Kings, 21 Pilots, or Mayday Parade. 

Senior Julianna Hritz is the Student Activities CAB intern and is also a family and consumer science education major. She has been involved with CAB for three years thus far. 

She described how students who participate in CAB do not stop there- they enjoy keeping busy with an abundance of other activities or organizations on campus such as Religious Life, Community Service, Greek Life, and many others. Additionally, Hritz acknowledged how providing events for AU students is so incredibly worth it- no matter what.

“The reason that we do what we do in CAB is to give people an opportunity to do something different and get out of their dorm rooms and hang out with their friends in [another setting]. As long as someone is getting something great out of it, that is all [that] we care about. Whether it is fifty people or five-hundred people, as long as people are having a good time, we count that as a success,” said Hritz.

Overall, a total of 40 members participate in CAB; which is comprised of the general CAB members as well as the executive board members and the Student Life director and CAB advisor, Nicole Dyer. CAB hosts 24 events per year with 12 events each semester for students. 

Senior Olivia Perna is a psychology major and also a member of CAB. She has been involved since her sophomore year. 

Besides just hosting a diverse mix of events for students throughout the course of the semester, CAB does a wide range of promotion for the events that take place on campus, such as: posters, tee-shirts, bathroom signs, television slides, Post-It-note collages, advertising on social media on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and by word-of-mouth advertising to others. Perna explained her thoughts regarding the promotion aspect of CAB events.

“I think we do a pretty good job of getting involved [as well as] trying to get other people involved. As a tour guide, I am always talking about CAB; on my days where I am wearing my CAB shirt, my friends know that an event [is happening]. Having people come and making it a really big family-thing is cool,” Perna said.

Not only is advertising crucial in letting students become aware of events, but how does CAB exactly know what students will like regarding the actual events themselves? Hritz explained how students’ interests come into play when planning events on campus.

“Every year, the CAB executive board travels to NACA, which stands for the “National Association for Campus Activities.” Here, Executive Board members have the opportunity to scope out unique talent such as comedians, performers, or bands from all over the world that they think AU students would enjoy; which brings lots of laughter as well as great memories to campus. This past year, NACA was held in Covington, Kentucky. The CAB members also traveled with their advisor, Nicole Dyer, who is the Director of Student Life,” said Hritz.

Sophomore Kendra Romanchik is on the executive board for the position of committee co-chair. She is a Spanish education major and this is her second year being involved in CAB. 

Before any students can join CAB, they must go through an interview process officiated by the two CAB Co-Leaders, Hritz, and Dyer. 

Romanchik explained how initially when she first joined CAB, she was super excited as well as a little apprehensive. She gave a detailed description of what the interview process was like for her.

“It was a very laid-back kind of interview [atmosphere]. Some executive members are in charge of the interview along with our director. They [have] general questions such as, why would you want to be a part of CAB? They [also] give you a scenario [depicting] if you were to [create] an event, what would you have? You have to think of an event that you would want to have on campus that gets your creativity flowing. [Also], they ask you some funny questions to keep the mood light,” Romanchik said. 

Students who are interested in joining the CAB team can apply for a multitude of positions- ranging from everything to a CAB co-leader, intern, committee co-chair, secretary, social chair, or even a blood drive intern. 

One must wait an entire year before applying because the position would already be filled as an incoming freshman. Romanchik noted why all AU students, regardless of one’s hesitation, should apply to become a part of CAB.  

“Don’t hesitate to sign up for CAB; if you don’t do it, then you are never going to be able to experience it. Just go for it. It is so great,” Romanchik said. 

CAB meets once a week on Wednesday nights at 9:30 p.m.. in the Student Center. Even if one does not join CAB, the Cabbies encourage all AU students to come out and enjoy the events hosted.