Students stepped out in the sun on Academic Quad to take a look at what various campus clubs, groups, and activities have to offer at the annual Involvement Fair on Sept. 5.
According to Natalie Keller Pariano, director of the Campus Leadership & Involvement Center (CLIC), Denison has about 175 campus organizations, many of which were present at the Involvement Fair.
These organizations include service groups, academic activities, club sports, Greek life, multicultural organizations, campus media, student government, religious life groups, and many special interest groups.
Rachel Auerbach, a sophomore from Mount Horeb, Wis., currently serves as the public relations chair for Denison Homelessness & Hunger, which made waves across campus last year with its “Peanut Butter Jelly Time” video promoting their sandwich prep event for the Newark Salvation Army. “We’ve tried to expand, and we’re now working with Sparta Café and Saint Vincent de Paul.” Auerbach added that the group also hosts “sleep-out” events to raise awareness.
Denison Christian Community president Tori Newman, a junior from Willard, Ohio, expressed hope that her organization could offer interested students “a fun, welcoming community– we’re really excited!”
Pariano advises students looking for involvement to “take it slow” and carefully consider what groups they want to be a part of.
She adds that involvement means more than just campus organizations. “It includes having a campus job or even just attending campus events too.”
Pariano says that any student who wants to start their own organization should do their best to ensure that their group is “sustainable” and will not only last, but will attract other like-minded students.