Social Events
Outside of professional events, Quarterdeck organizes social events to give members of the UMich NA&ME department opportunities to get to know one another and have some fun beyond the context of academics. Events in the past have included Whirlyball (an every-semester tradition), kayaking, restaurant nights, ice skating and intramural sports.
We also run the Mentorship Program, which connects younger and newer students of the department to older ones through both professional and social events. If you'd like to join the program as a mentor or mentee, or to learn more, please email us at quarterdeck@umich.edu.
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2019
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Whirlyball - April
After the last day of classes, Quarterdeck was able to let off some steam and show off our competitive sides at Whirlyball!
Buffalo Wild Wings Dinner Social - March
While wings are traditionally an aerospace concern, everyone's favorite boat people managed to set aside those differences for a day, as students from all classes gathered to socialize over dinner.
Elementary School MHL Learning Opportunity - February
The students became the teachers this February, as NAME students got the opportunity to teach fifth graders at a local elementary school. After two days of teaching and working with student groups on a design project, the elementary students got the chance to test their completed boats in the Marine Hydrodynamics Laboratory on campus.
Ice Skating - February
Quarterdeck tried their hand at a different kind of water travel, as several members braved a windy day to *chill* out and ice skate at Yost together!
2019 SNAME Sectional Meeting - February
This February, a group of students traveled to Cleveland for the Great Lakes Great Rivers SNAME sectional meeting for two days of networking and presentations on exciting new developments in the naval field.
Laser Tag Social Event - January
Quarterdeck started the year out with a blast at Zap Zone Laser Tag! The junior and sophomore classes got to know each other a bit better, and friendly competition showed that you're never too old for laser guns.
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2018
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Department Spring Banquet - April
This year's spring banquet was another big success. Our 2017 honorary commodore is Steven Byle. Many alumni and students came to the Michigan League for a night of socializing and honoring their peers. Many left with a paper plate award (or two!) in hand.
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Whirlyball Social Event - April
There was no event as anticipated this semester as the trip to Whirlyball of Ann Arbor! The true competitiveness of Quarterdeck members was on display during the match-ups. Everyone enjoyed pizza and some healthy competition!
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Spring Break Ship Trip - March
Many students of the department chose to use their spring break to travel south and visit a new shipyard almost every day. This is an annual trip that the department hosts and it allows our members an amazing look at different parts of the industry, while spending a lot of quality time together!
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Buffalo Wild Wings Dinner - February
Quarterdeck members took a weeknight break from their studies to enjoy some delicious wings at Buffalo Wild Wings. This event has become an annual tradition and it was a big hit as usual.
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2018 SNAME Section Meeting - February
16 members of Quarterdeck drove down to Cleveland for the annual meeting of the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers, Great Lakes Great Rivers Section meeting. It was a great opportunity to meet other students as well as professionals already working in the maritime industry. Members also enjoyed learning about the new autonomous technology being introduced to the field at the technical presentations.
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Quarterdeck Goes Ice Skating - January
Members enjoyed a few hours of open skate at Yost Ice Arena. There was a wide range of skaters, from newbies to very experienced, but everyone who came out had a great time!
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2017
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Quarterdeck goes Kayaking - September
As our first social event of the Fall 2017 semester, Quarterdeck took to the Huron river for a fun day of kayaking. The weather was abnormally hot for September, so some members were even brave enough to jump in the water from an abandoned railroad bridge that goes over the river. It was a beautiful trip and all members who attended had a wonderful time!
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Department Spring Banquet - April
This year's spring banquet was a huge success. Our 2017 honorary commodore is the beloved Steve Kemp, many paper plate awards were accepted, and alumni old and young came out for a great night of socializing and celebrating the wonderful UMich Department of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering.
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Quarterdeck Study Break - February
In the midst of midterm season, Quarterdeck hosted a 'Study Break,' in which we ate snacks and watched Pirates of the Caribbean. Lots of members turned out for this nautical themed relaxation session, and hopefully contributed to their academic success this semester!
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Quarterdeck goes Ice Skating - January
To kick off the New Year, Quarterdeck took to Yost Ice Arena to show that the expression "Work Hard, Play Hard" really can come true. Many members, new and old, took to the ice and all had an incredible time!
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2016
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Whirlyball, the Tradition - December
To wrap up the semester, Quarterdeck fulfilled their tradition of Whirlyball-ing on a fine Saturday evening. The event had perhaps the largest turnout in the history of ever with around 40 students who attended to play Whirlyball, eat Jet's pizza, and generally chill before exams got into full swing.
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Quarterdeck Goes Kayaking - September
On a sunny Sunday afternoon, we took to the water for some paddling on the Huron River for our first social event of the semester! Quarterdeck members, old and new, came out for the event to enjoy the summery, fresh air before classes really kick in. One might even say we row, row, rowed our boats gently down the stream...
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Whirlyball Fun - April
On a fine Friday evening, NA&ME students journeyed to Whirlyball of Ann Arbor to play in this department semester tradition. Special guests Professor Singer and Professor Maki played the game, and Professor Sun also stopped by. Pizza was dined upon, and fun was had by all!
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Detroit Boat Show - February
What better way for naval architect and marine engineering students to bond than to wander through hundreds of boats at the Detroit Boat Show in the Cobo Center? The group got to go aboard numerous boats ranging from fishing boats to pontoons to yachts, and they also saw numerous engines and propellers.
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Ice Skating Night - February
For a fun break in the midst of a busy semester, Quarterdeck took to the ice at Yost Ice Arena to skate the night away. (Shout out to ABS for providing the selfie-stick.)
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Restaurant Night - February
Our Mentorship program had its first event at Buffalo Wild Wings. This gave mentor-mentee pairs the opportunity to meet each other, some for the first time, over wings in a relaxed setting. If you are still interested in joining, fear not, as it's never to late to join the program! Please contact James Coller (jcoller@umich.edu) for more information.
Looking for older events? Check out our Archived Events page!