In the fall semester of 2023, three students, Robert Quigley, Aaron Brian and Deven Malamo came up with one of the silliest clubs on campus, Ceiling Connoisseurs – a club dedicated to discussing and sharing beautiful ceilings. The club became an instant classic among the roster of student organizations, and was awarded with the “outstanding new student org” award during its first year.
Fast forwarding to earlier this semester on Jan. 28, the club announced their final meeting until further notice. Helmed by Maya Kirksey, the latest president of the club, she explained the issues leading to the club’s hiatus.
“Personally, I think that the bit kind of died when Quigley left,” Kirksey said. “The people that were still passionate about it still came to meetings every week, but it ended up thinning out a little bit, and it was a little discouraging. Also the fact that all of our eboard are either trying to graduate in the next year or just getting increasingly busy, it was just getting a little too taxing.”
Although club meetings will no longer take place, the club is not officially disbanding, and their Discord will still be open to anyone who wants to enjoy ceilings with fellow ceiling connoisseurs or create a new eboard for the club.
“The Discord is still up and running,” Kirksey said. “I don’t imagine that will ever die, even if we were to fold the club.”
For Quigley, the previous president of the club, he feels a sense of closure now that it is winding down.
“I suppose it is nice to know that the ridiculous bit of ceilings lasted as long as it did,” Quigley said. “That part’s really funny. I feel a sense of closure and that feels nice. The highlight is probably just being able to bring a bunch of people together and then have a good laugh.”
Another highlight for the former president was when the club got the idea to “dress to the nines” for their meetings.
“The original guy who pitched the idea that we dress up in fancy suits, he added a whole other level of hilarity,” Quigley said. “Now we were leaning into the role of the connoisseur and it felt so much funnier.”
Taking a look back on his journey since starting the club, Quigley offers advice to other students looking to start their own club.
“Be very cognizant of your personal goals and what you want from the club, such as why you’re starting the club, and how you’re going to get what you want out of the club,” Quigley said. “For me, it was just a funny thing, and it started out with just a few friends, laughing at this funny bit. For me, the goal the whole time was just to have a few laughs with good friends.”
The Ceiling Connoisseurs resembled a variety of things in its prime. It was just a silly club to some, and a place of friendship to others, but as Quigley said, “maybe the real ceiling connoisseurs were the friends we made along the way.”
For more information on the club, visit their website at ceilingconnoisseurs.org or visit their GrizzOrgs page.
