Students, faculty celebrate love for academic majors

03/09/2026

Love was in the air at SUNY Cortland throughout the month of February.

And it wasn't just because of Valentine's Day, but because a campus-wide effort encouraged students to celebrate the reasons why they enjoy pursuing their academic majors.

At least 12 academic departments joined in "Love Your Major" efforts throughout the month, hosting a range of events that offered giveaways, snacks and the opportunity to gather in an informal setting with classmates and professors. Advisement and Transition coordinates the annual initiative and asks academic departments to embrace creativity in their offerings.

This year, those ranged from history majors piecing together a custom puzzle of the original Cortland Normal School to anthropology and archaeology majors taking on a "Jeopardy!" category themed around facts about their professors.

Among its offerings, the Biological Sciences Department led a note-writing campaign that several other departments have adopted in recent years, where current Red Dragons write to prospective students in their major.

This year's participants included the following programs and departments: Biological Sciences, Childhood/Early Childhood Education, Communication and Media Studies, Economics, English, Foundations and Social Advocacy, Geology, History, International Studies, Sociology/Anthropology, Recreation, Parks and Leisure Studies, and Sport Management

Submitted highlights are included below.

Biological Sciences Department

Multiple "Cookies, Cocoa and Cards" events offered sweet treats and hot cocoa to students along with other small giveaways. Students were encouraged to write notes to potential future Red Dragons, sharing the reasons why they enjoy the department's majors in adolescence education, biology, biomedical sciences and conservation biology.

History Department

A "Pop Tart and Puzzles" party provided the classic breakfast snack and the opportunity for students to work on a variety of puzzles, including a custom-made creation featuring a historic photo of the original Cortland Normal School building in Courthouse Park. Students also wrote "Why I Love My Major" notes to be shared in a letter home to accepted students.

English Department

A "Love and Literature" event hosted a Valentine's Day-themed event that included Shakespearean Mad Libs, literary-themed valentines and various readings, along with treats and giveaways.

International Studies

International studies majors enjoyed a lunchtime event in a relaxed setting, where students enjoyed snacks, earned prizes and answered creative questions. Those included: "If your major was a superhero, what would their power be?" and "If your favorite professor was a world leader, who would they be?" Many participants stayed after the event's official end time to continue their conversations.

Sociology/Anthropology Department

Nearly 20 students representing a range of majors - from anthropology and archaeology to international studies - enjoyed a spirited trivia game inspired by "Jeopardy!" and created by Anna Tanzman, an archaeology major and co-manager the university's Archaeology Lab interns.

Foundations and Social Advocacy Department

Inclusive education majors celebrated love for their major with activities designed to support their future careers. Close to 50 students made lanyards for their teacher name tags and networked with faculty while enjoying food, raffles and a photo booth with Blaze, SUNY Cortland's red dragon mascot.

Geology Department

The Geology Department hosted a get-together for students and faculty to share more about their love for the discipline. Early-arriving students received "swag bags" containing candy, geology-themed stickers, snacks, a 3D puzzle and a mineral sample. Students spent time putting together their puzzles, participating in raffles and enjoying treats.