Lauren Shelburne | Banner Charles Leist, Student Chapter of AlChe president and junior chemical engineering major, and Stephen Dueck, treasurer and junior chemical engineering major, cheer on Sam Barnett, junior chemical engineering major, as he tries their latest experiment.
California Baptist University continued its tradition of hosting student clubs on campus with sign-ups beginning Oct. 2 at the Club Fair.
Students can sign up for any of the 59 available clubs at any time. This semester the Community Life office welcomes over 10 new clubs. CBU offers academic clubs to enhance studies and students’ resumes, as well as cocurricular clubs to meet other students and enjoy the CBU experience.
“We want students who have the same interests to get involved with the campus and with each other,” said Kristin Waters, director of campus activities.
Clubs are open to students of all majors and interests to connect and get to know each other. Josephine Ichull-Ingya, senior biomedical engineering major and Biomedical Engineering Society president, attributed student clubs with helping her establish some of the first connections she made when she started at CBU.
“My favorite thing about clubs is the fellowship and friendship they provide,” she said. “I made some of my first friends at CBU at club meetings and I have learned so much from them. I believe clubs are also a great place to seek and grow interests in various topics, especially with the variety of clubs.”
Madilyn Moritz, freshman marketing major, said she enjoyed her first club fair and signed up for Spanish club, United: Celebrating Campus Diversity, and Design club.
“(I signed up for) stuff I was interested in and I felt I could relate to,” she said.
She added that with the variety of clubs, there is something offered for most everyone.
“(I signed up for) stuff I was interested in and I felt I could relate to,” she said.
Shari Cocke, senior nursing major and president of The Students of Nursing Association, shared her favorite aspect of SONA.
“My favorite thing about SONA is experiencing and watching the connections grow,” Cocke said. “SONA fosters fellowship, friendship and mentorship with its members. Connecting members and sharing experiences or advice allows them to build lifelong friendships and bonds in this incredibly challenging but remarkable journey called nursing school.”
Clubs can provide a social and professional benefits for students and open leadership positions that can be put on future resumes.
Freshman health science major Becky Boyd joined the Health Science Society to meet others in her major who share her passion.
“I hope to meet potential employers and mentors who can help me through the process of ultimately becoming an occupational therapist,” Boyd said.
Aaron Singer, senior civil engineering major and president of the Sir Lancer Rock Climbing Club, shared the purpose of his student club.
“Our purpose is to connect student with the community of rock climbers, composed of all skill levels, so as to enhance skill, safety, and great fun,” said Singer. “Another priority is the purposeful stimulation of conversations that openly discuss the connection of our daily living to the practical understanding of our Creator.”
Waters suggests undeclared majors join clubs that spark their interests to find their callings and see what those majors look like beyond the classroom.
“We want to get people connected to the campus and to each other,” Waters said.
Clubs are a way for students to make new friends in their fields, find new hobbies and enjoy life with others. Additional information for the clubs can be found on the Office of Community Life website.
