Students Embrace First Virtual Art of Engineering Event

UC Irvine’s Engineering Student Council hosted its seventh annual Art of Engineering – virtually, for the first time in the event’s history.

Oct. 22, 2020 – UC Irvine’s Engineering Student Council hosted its seventh annual Art of Engineering – virtually, for the first time in the event’s history – on Tuesday, Sept. 29.

With over 160 attendees, including more than 80 members from engineering student organizations, the networking event was successful, despite the change of venue. “ESC was ready and raring to assist our engineering community, especially during this virtual distancing,” said Ethan Smiggs, the organization’s vice president of relations and event co-host.

The annual event aims to showcase engineering clubs and groups, and recruit new students to the 21 campus engineering student organizations that participated. Structured like a talent show, this year’s virtual transformation was held on both Zoom and Discord. “The use of these two platforms allowed us to still present our clubs' hidden talents, like dancing, guitar playing and some wonderful lip-syncing,” said Nyree Khachikyan, ESC president. “More importantly though, it gave students the chance to speak to club representatives in a more intimate setting prior to signing up, which encouraged them to get involved."

ESC officers deemed the event a success. "Art of Engineering this year was truly a wondrous sight to behold,” said Brandon Liu, vice president of development and event co-host, who thanked the event’s planners and participants. “Despite the tumultuous times we are living in, the engineering community was still able to pull together. Without all of you, this event would not have been possible.”

– Megan Lohre