Campus

Tables lined Alumni Lane as dozens of clubs pitched new members — with stickers, candy and sign-up sheets to match.

Alumni Lane at Delaware Valley University was humming with activity on Sept. 2, as students gathered for the bi-annual Club & Organizations Expo.

With tables lined up along the walkway, club members introduced students to the many organizations, activities and communities available on campus. For many students, especially those new to DelVal, the expo is an opportunity to discover something new and find a place to get involved during the semester.

I’m at the C&O Expo to explore and see all the clubs. I’m actually already a part of DVU CRU.

Michael Wilkins, sophomore

Something for every interest

The event included the Horticulture Club, Soil Club, Rock Climbing Club, Ornithology Club, Pre-Vet Club, Puppet Club, Animal Lifeline Club, Dairy Society, Film Club and Greek life organizations. Each group brought its own personality to the expo, showing how many different ways students engage in activities at DelVal.

From freshmen and transfer students to upperclassmen looking to try something different, students made their way from table to table. Some stopped to ask questions about upcoming events, while others signed up on the spot.

And no one could forget the freebies. Stickers, candy, temporary tattoos, pencils, flower clips and plenty of other items were handed out throughout the event. It was hard to walk down Alumni Lane without seeing someone carrying a handful of new goodies.

Our club is really good for your resume. You can gain many volunteer trips, and those hours will look good regardless of what profession you’d like to get into.

Ellie Paul, treasurer, Animal Lifeline Club

Meeting the people behind the clubs

Beyond the giveaways, the expo gives students the chance to meet the people who make these organizations possible. Club presidents and members were on hand to talk about what their clubs do, what they have planned for the semester and why students should consider joining. For students who knew little about the clubs beforehand, those conversations offered a more personal look at what membership involves.

Owen Klessel, president of the Puppet Club, said the group covers more ground than people expect. “We like to touch both the performance sides and the conservation sides of puppetry,” he said.

Joelle Jakubowski, event chair for the Pre-Vet Club, said the club brings in speakers from a range of veterinary schools so students can build knowledge and decide where they want to apply.

If something really cool pops up, I’m joining.

Dylan Tucci, transfer student

Scenes from the expo

Photos by Aggie Insider multimedia producers

Still want to join?

Whether students are looking for an organization tied to their major, hoping to meet people with similar interests or simply curious about trying something new, the C&O Expo is a good place to start. Events like this are an important part of campus life. They remind students that college is about more than attending classes: it’s a chance to make friends, learn new skills, explore hobbies and create experiences that last well beyond the semester.

With the fall semester just getting started, the energy at the expo was a promising sign of what is to come. If the number of students who stopped by the tables was any indication, DelVal’s clubs and organizations are in for a busy year.

Missed it? Ben Hull, president of the Rock Climbing Club, said students can still get involved: “If you want to join at a later time, you can contact me or any other leaders of the club.”