Christopher Ward, an accounting student at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, thinks accounting is the most misunderstood major on campus.

He looked forward to the UALR College of Business Carnival of Clubs on Aug. 30 as a way to educate people about what it means to be an accounting major and to recruit new members to the UALR Accounting Society.

“Our goal here is to gain new members and get the word out about our organization,” Ward said. “I think that we have the most misunderstood major, so it’s exciting to be able to share with other students what they can do with a career in this field.”

The concept of the Carnival of Clubs came to life through the idea of a student, said Mark Funk, chair of the Department of Economics and Finance and interim chair of the Department of Accounting,

“The student at the time was the president of the Marketing Association, and she wanted to figure out a way to connect students to each other and to the college,” he said. “That day, the students of the Marketing Association came up with the Carnival of Clubs.”

Funk recalls the first carnival included only tables, clubs, and candy. This year the event included games, tables, food trucks, a dunk tank, and a DJ.

“Each year we try to add something extra,” he said.

There were nearly 15 clubs and organizations to attend the carnival this year, including the International Business Program, Student Government Association, Human Resource Management Society and Future Business Leaders of America.

Although the event was targeted toward clubs and organizations on campus, outside organizations were also welcome to attend. The Beauty Brand Salon, located on University Avenue, held its first table at the carnival this year.

Many of the students working a table at the event were excited to have the opportunity to network, share information about their organizations, and get to know their peers.

Next year, it is the hope of the students and faculty that the event will be bigger and better.