Story by Ciara Benham, Staff writer
Over 400 Murray State students and staff members received a 40 percent discount on professional attire as a part of the JCPenney Suit-Up Event.
On Feb. 17, Murray State Career Services co-hosted the Suit-Up Event sponsored by JCPenney. For one day only, students, faculty, staff and alumni could get 40 percent off professional clothing.
JCPenney has hosted other Suit-Up Events across the nation in partnership with other universities, but this was the first time the event has been held in Murray.
Career Services always offers the Career Closet on campus, a place where students can come pick out a free professional outfit each semester that they can keep.
Sarah Stellhorn, an intern for Career Services, helped coordinate the Suit-Up Event and said Career Services was thrilled at the opportunity to work with JCPenney.
“We are always looking for new opportunities to offer our students, and this was a convenient, affordable way for students to find professional clothing in their specific size and the style they prefer,” Stellhorn said.
JCPenney’s manager, Stacie Gura, said the Suit-Up Event was created for communities with colleges specifically to be able to provide a service not usually provided by other retailers: quality career clothing at an affordable price for students.
Gura also said the event was an important opportunity for JCPenney to help students afford career clothing.
“Whether it is required for their classes or for their first interviews, this is the first time most of the students will be purchasing this type of clothing,” Gura said. “I think holding an event especially for them is amazing because we have the staff and the knowledge to help them make these purchases a lot easier.”
Victoria Martin, senior from Central City, Kentucky, attended the event to purchase professional clothing for her job. Martin said the event was beneficial and she would like to see more events like it happen in the future with other companies.
Martin also said she thought the event was a good idea to help students.
“I think that it was a good chance to help students get proper interview attire, especially those who can’t usually afford such clothing,” Martin said.
The event served 433 Murray State students, faculty and alumni, and employees of both Career Services and JCPenney were pleased with the turnout of the event.
Amara Stroud, peer career advisor at Career Services, said the Suit-Up event was a positive accomplishment for all parties involved.
“Overall, I think that the Suit-Up Event was a big success not only for Career Services or JCPenney but for the students at MSU,” Stroud said. “I’ve only heard positive feedback from students and I think that’s a really great sign. The coordinators from my office, Sarah Stellhorn and Rebecca Dyer, did a great job, and I hope Suit-Up becomes an annual event.”
The turnout of the event was considered a success by JCPenney, and Gura confirmed that JCPenney will be hosting an event every year in the spring, with the possibility of one in the fall as well.