STUDENT CLUBS AT SU
Student Government
Association-recognized Student
Clubs for Fall 2016
Student Clubs at SU:
amount about the Islamic faith and the Muslim culture. I appreciate these amazing
students sharing their culture with me and trusting me to help support their club.”
Diane Payne, Ph.D., Director of the Office of Sponsored Programs and
Something for
Everyone
by Sherry Bithell
Research and Instructor of Chemistry, is the faculty advisor for the American
Chemical Society Club. Here, students gain experience in areas that you might
expect—and others that you might not. “They learn to present their knowledge to
others and gain leadership skills from serving as an officer or leading a meeting,”
Payne says. “But they also take part in outreach events, attending Scholars Day and
Accepted Students Day, and many of them mentor freshmen chemistry majors.
And they enjoy the camaraderie of working with other clubs on University-wide
events throughout the year.”
The group’s diversity is an added bonus, she notes. “They all get along well
and have learned to look for each other’s strengths, not their shortcomings or
differences.”
One club that emphasizes inclusion and student support is The Q Group, which
allows students to learn about and promote LGBTQ issues and identities. Faculty
advisor Laura T. Smith, Ph.D., Chair and Associate Professor of English Language
and Literature, says that in addition to events such as Queer Talent Night and
Drag-u-Cation, the club also holds weekly meetings and Safe Space forums that
feature games, movies, and discussions of personal experiences and current events
Admittedly, the phrase “something for everyone” sounds
Association (ISA), says that all the clubs create common
trite. But when you glance at the full list of Stevenson’s
ground among students. “Sometimes you think you’re the
diverse array of student clubs (see sidebar to the right),
only one interested in something, then you find that you
it’s easy to see that every SU student should be able to
have a shared experience with others.” Citing students in
find at least one fit—if not more.
the ISA, she says, “They come from around the country
“In addition to doing well academically, I think
there are two things every student should do in college:
study abroad and get involved,” says Daniel Schwartz,
Assistant Director of Student Activities. “If you like a
club, stay in it. If you don’t like it, try something else.”
about other cultures, talk about their food and family.
“It’s what college should be: learning something outside
of what you already know.”
This principle also applies to club faculty and staff
A specific example comes from Maumi Cannell-
advisors, says Morgan Somerville, Director of Student
Chatterton, Assistant to the VP for Student Affairs and
Engagement and advisor for Mission: I’m Home and the
staff mentor to the Anime Club. “One o