Get to Know the Community event sparks student awareness and involvement
As Bethel looks to incorporate student engagement in the greater Wichita area, organizations brought themselves to campus.
On Thursday, Bethel College hosted a “Get to Know the Community” event on the Green. This event started at 10 a.m. and ended at 12 p.m, and during that time, students were invited to visit each booth positioned around the Green collecting signatures from the community members running the booths for a convocation credit.
The event served as an opportunity for students to ‘get to know’ ways they can be involved in the community. It featured campus organizations such as Student Activities Council, as well as volunteer opportunities like local churches, medical centers, and youth outreaches.
“This is a really nice way to get our name out there,” Emil Benavides, sophomore from Stockton, said. Benavides is serving as the president of Femcore this year. “We really want to increase membership within our club and I think this is really great. We already filled out our [sign-up] page, like one page full of people wanting to join.”
Clubs sported stickers, t-shirts, giveaway bags, bubbles, and so much more.
“We’ve had a lot of people come up,” Angelika Donaldson, junior from Highland, Ill. and co-president of BeLonGTo, said. “The stickers and the bubbles I think really get people in.”
Other student clubs were in attendance as well – including the Environmental Action Club.
“It really lifted my spirits to see so many students excited to hear what EAC is about and even join our strong group of activists,” Claira Janssen, sophomore from Beatrice, Neb., said. Janssen is the president of EAC.
In addition to Femcore, BeLonGTo, and EAC, the BC Communities for Justice and Peace and Role Playing Game Club were all in attendance offering ways for students to get involved in their clubs and overall in the campus community.
“I really liked getting to know the community. There were many opportunities to expand my horizons and everyone I met was really nice,” Shayla Dao, sophomore from Salina, said.