A few days before course registration opens each semester, the University of Richmond’s history department hosts the History Hangout — a casual event that gives students an early look at upcoming classes.

“We hold it just before the schedule goes live on Banner, so the course list has a ‘hot off the press’ feel,” said Pippa Holloway, chair of the department.

There’s pizza, but it’s not the main attraction.

“I noticed students grab the course descriptions and start reading before they even get a slice,” Holloway said.

The event is open to all students — not just history majors and minors. Anyone currently taking a history class, considering one, or simply curious is welcome.

“We try to make it clear that anyone interested in history should join us,” Holloway said.

For many students, that curiosity is exactly what draws them in. Saige Beatman, a senior double majoring in history and business administration, has helped organize the event, and said the draw is simple: students want to know what’s coming next.

“The History Hangout is appealing because we’re curious about what classes are being offered,” she said.

Just as important, the event creates a relaxed space to meet the history faculty.

“It helps students connect a face to the name and makes the class feel more tangible when it is time to register,” Beatman said.

Students can also pick up extra copies of the course list for friends who can’t attend, extending the event's reach beyond the room.

Holloway recalled meeting a third-year student who had taken a history class as a first-year student and was looking to add more to his schedule.

“He was glad to see the upcoming offerings and talk with professors about them,” she said.

Most history faculty members attend the Hangout, giving them a chance to connect with students, hear how they’re doing, and share insights about their courses.

For Beatman, helping organize the event is a way to give back.

“I love being able to play a part in making the history department that has given me so much,” she said.