by Denny Mai

Let ’s pretend you’re in a time machine and all you want to do is to go back to your first semester at Stony Brook, where you wish you could take your PSY 103 – Introduction to Psychology final again, instead of the BME 381 – Nanofabrication in Biomedical Applications final or whatever you’re taking now. Think back to when you were a freshman here in the university. If you’re a freshman now, it shouldn’t be too hard for you. It’s a new time in your life. You’re in a new school in a new place with about four years ahead of you. To paraphrase John F. Kennedy, the first thing on your mind probably wouldn’t be what you can do for Stony Brook, but rather, what Stony Brook can do for you. That’s a question that can be answered by Stony Brook’s annual Involvement Fair which features a multitude of clubs and organizations that the school has to offer. As you pass along the SAC hearing pleas and offers, and screams and shouts from several clubs to join their group, a sudden blast of music drowns them out. You turn your head around to see the beginning of the CASB dance team’s performance as well as the beginning of your potential future in the involvement in the Chinese Association at Stony Brook.

The Chinese Association at Stony Brook, more commonly known as CASB, hopes to start off another successful year. From the exciting events they have lined up, their future seems promising. Their Fall 2007 debut to the Stony Brook community, like many other clubs and organizations, began at the Involvement Fair on Wednesday September 19, 2007 during campus lifetime. There, many new and old faces of Stony Brook were crowded around the CASB table, signing up for their annual events, being greeted by an energetic group of cabinet members, and watching in awe and amazement of the performance by the CASB Dance Team, also known as CDT.

The CASB Dance Team isn’t the only attraction that CASB has to offer. It is just one among many, such as the Texas Hold’em Poker Tournament, Singing Contest, Mahjong Tournament, Chinese New Year celebration, and its most renowned event of the year: Their annual culture show, China Night, with acting, singing, and modeling. Each event comes with good times, priceless memories, and plenty of candid photo opportunities.

The success of CASB today is the culmination of everyone’s hard work. For over 25 years and counting, the members, cabinet, advisors, faculty and students have all played a part in bringing CASB to prominence. CASB is a cultural organization that is dedicated to promoting the Chinese culture through various and exciting events. It is through those events that they try to show people and educate about the Chinese heritage. CASB has strived to bring diversity to the Stony Brook community and enrich the students’ lives. Passion goes a long way and it is with that passion for CASB that drives its members to do anything possible to continue following the ideals of the club.