BRIDGEWATER, Va. – On Jan. 15 , students gathered in the KCC lobby from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. to learn about clubs on campus, seeking to increase their sense of belonging and strengthen their identity.
“I’m looking for people I can bond with and hang out with on campus, that’s why I came to the fair,” Caden Walters, a student at Bridgewater College, said.
According to a spreadsheet shared with club leaders, Bridgewater College is home to 38 clubs, each having a chance at the Campus Connections Fair to showcase what they can offer students on campus.
“A big message on college campuses is to be yourself and not be fearful of retaliation,” Dylan Shifflett, President of the Republicans Club said. “We believe that Bridgewater is a very good place to share beliefs. We are just a club that can be an outlet. We are just more politically- oriented.”
The fair was filled with tables that were decorated to show the student body something that represented their club.
A recent study done by Ohio State University explained that college student involvement in clubs is positively related to academic performance, cognitive development, well-being, leadership and multicultural awareness.
The Connections Fair is only one way clubs reach out to the student body.
“We have a pretty big social media page that we post on weekly, we talk to our friend groups about the club to try and promote it positively,” Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) leader Taylor Thomas said.
A study done by researchers at Yanshan University found that in order for clubs to be successful on campus they must be actively involved with their members in order to create a sense of belonging for the students.
The Republicans Club, led by Shifflett, believes in this connection with students on campus.
“We want college students to share their beliefs in a space where they feel welcomed, that’s our goal,” said Shifflett.
With 38 clubs on campus, students can search for an environment where they can feel welcomed and valued.
“I’m looking for a group of people I can hang out with, bond with and learn more about when joining a club and I found that in FCA,” said first-year Caiden Walters.
The Connections Fair is held every year on campus, once in the fall and once in the winter.
For more information about clubs on campus, you can reach out to [email protected].
