ASWSU executives want to better recognize freshmen and transfer students who make the President’s Honor Roll during their first semester at WSU.

In the past, the administration hosted small get-togethers for achieving students, said ASWSU Director of Academic Affairs Daniel Vickoren. However, this spring ASWSU will host a larger mixer complete with keynote speakers.

Vickoren said he hopes to fill the CUB Junior Ballroom with about 300 people, and speakers may include WSU President Elson S. Floyd and ASWSU President Riley Myklebust. College deans and provosts will also be present for students to talk with, Vickoren said.

“(The event) will hopefully encourage students and show them how important academics are at WSU,” he said. “We’re looking for a formal mix-and-mingle, a get-together to make social connections.”

The event will likely be held the last week of January, Vickoren said. ASWSU has budgeted about $2,000 for the banquet.

While ASWSU originally planned to hold a formal event, the board did not receive grants it applied for, and instead of drawing the money from another source, ASWSU decided to scale down the event, he said. Vickoren said the banquet may expand in the future, depending on the availability of funds.

“We’re trying to find a balance between quality events and spending responsibly,” he said.