Editorial Piece: Stallion Staff
With the cancellation of Thundercon at the end of September, the fall semester does not feel the same. ABAC’s campus is known for throwing Thundercon – one of the only conventions held in the region, and this event is quite loved around campus, and the extended community.
Thundercon provided a space for people to express themselves and showcase their nerdier interests. Animes, regular comics, Dungeons & Dragons memorabilia – all of those ‘nerdy’ interests that people famously get made fun of for are all accepted, and even encouraged, at Thundercon.
The Stallion spoke with a few students regarding the cancellation of Thundercon – some of who explained that Thundercon is part of the reason they chose ABAC. Seeing those interests represented and encouraged by the institution helped them feel more comfortable, and even excited, at the idea of coming to ABAC. Thundercon also served as an awesome additonal campus tour – and showcased exactly how hard our Sodexo workers work to maintain our beautiful campus.
Without Thundercon, ABAC almost looks like a one-trick pony. Of course, our agriculutral programs are a huge draw to ABAC and serve a need in the community only ABAC is equipped to fill – but it looks extremely one sided. The arts and sciences at ABAC are also phenomenal – and Thundercon helped shine a spotlight on that side of campus.
Thundercon also presented an opportunity for local artists to showcase their work, and vendors a great opportunity to sell their wares. With the short-notice cancellation, some vendors prepared a ton of inventory in preparation of the con, inventory they now may struggle to sell without this opportunity. This also represents a loss of networking opportunity for vendors, and attendees alike. Since Thundercon brought together an array of people, those people likely could not connect over these specific interests anywhere else. This loss of community building opportunity has impacted the student body – and something should come up to fill it.
With the arrival of Thundercon a few years ago, students were provided with a good distraction in a safe enviornment. With the con taking place on campus, there is no reason to drive, and it makes the con extremely accessible to the student body. With this event taking place in a safe place, students don’t need to worry (as much) about who is around them, and they know the resources around to protect them. With this, alongside Thundercon’s events and speakers, students were excited to attend. The community was excited to attend, Thundercon was an event like no other and brought together the community over interets that are usually silenced.
The short-noticed cancellation of Thundercon can be described overarchingly as a missed opportunity. Without Thundercon, students miss out on the opportunity to connect with one another over these mutual interests, the community misses out on an opportunitity to connect with one another, vendors miss the opportunity to sell their wares and network. Students also miss the chance to network with professionals in the industry – these cons are huge for networking and getting into the comic industry. Another chance to engage with the community is another chance for fundraising and for the community to support ABAC. Something else to consider is how the cancellation of Thundercon may affect admissions – students expressed that Thundercon is part of the reason they chose ABAC. By cancelling Thundercon, is ABAC missing out on prospective students?
The cancellation of Thundercon represents ABAC misunderstanding the students they are here for, and while the reasons why have not been revealed, the students are hurt by these actions, and ABAC could do more to fill the void that Thundercon has left. The Stallion has been in contact with ABAC Clubs, namely the Adventurer’s Guild, GSA, and History & Government Club, as they attempt to fill the void that Thundercon has left through club collaboration. Their officer teams are in talks for cosplay competitions, field trips to the Renaissance Fair, and later down the line, potentially something like Thundercon.