The Fall Club Fair made its way to Stamps Courtyard on Sept. 19, presenting students with more than 70 opportunities to find their community on campus.
White E-Z Ups cloaked the courtyard lawn, and students filled the space to browse the new and returning clubs. Taking a new format this semester, Student Club Coordinator Jamie Hutton explained what the club fair aims to do.
“The goal and the why of the event is for clubs to connect with students on campus to gain new club members and for clubs to find people with similar interests,” Hutton said. “Whether it’s co-curricular or academic, we want our students to find a group where they can build community in specific areas.”
Penelope Perez, freshman psychology major, explained what brought her to the club fair.
“I saw the posters for the Club Fair around campus, and I’d been looking into the clubs before coming here, so I was looking forward to the event,” Perez said.
With options ranging from clubs driven by personal interests to career-focused clubs, there is a club to meet students’ wants and needs.
“I just joined the Creative Writing Club, Botany Club, Forensic Psychology Club, and Art Club,” Perez said.
From psychology to botany, the diversity on campus is evident in these student-led clubs. It is especially evident in the growth of clubs on campus, with 63 clubs last year and 71 this year.
For students looking to explore the world of dance, Swing Dance Club, a club that has been gathering for more than four years, has finally been made official.
Led by Andrew Pepper, senior Christian studies and intercultural studies double major, “[Swing Dance Club] is a great place to socialize and a safe environment that’s really fun.”
Whether you are a seasoned dancer, interested in learning, or just want to meet new people, Swing Dance Club is open to everyone. “You can dance, or you can just socialize. It’s a good skill to have,” Pepper said.
While some clubs are created for entertainment and learning new things, others are created to aid students in their academic and professional journeys.
The Black Business Student Association, a club established this semester, is suited for students interested in learning from other students and building connections in the business world.
Alika O’Guynn, founder and president of BBSA, shared the club’s mission statement: “We believe a community-based approach cultivates progression and empowerment.”
Ania Shannon, a freshman pre-nursing major, was able to find clubs geared toward her major and career aspirations.
“I just joined the [Students of Nursing Association] club, and I’m going to be joining Reach, which is also nursing,” Shannon said.
Clubs created for students’ majors are excellent sources for networking.
Jonah Baima, junior radiologic sciences major, shared his responsibility as an outreach coordinator for the returning Radiological Science Club.
“This year, we’re focusing on including our students in the pre-program and making sure that they have the resources they need to be successful,” Baima said.
Although there are several new clubs at CBU, fan favorites have made their comeback to campus. CBU Cruize is among the most popular, uniting students through their shared interests in the automotive community. Most recently, Cruize collaborated with Community Life to host “Cars and Cones,” an event where students could socialize, look at cars, and enjoy ice cream together.
Students are encouraged to find their niche and get involved in clubs if they can.
“Clubs can help students grow professionally, personally, and academically while focusing on their faith,” Hutton said.
For students unable to attend the Fall Club Fair, the opportunity to get involved has not passed—students can join clubs at any time.
