Student Clubs & Organizations Fair Set for Aug. 18
As the new academic year gets underway, Piedmont University Student Life and Leadership invites students to a Clubs & Organizations Fair Thursday, Aug. 18, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in the Student Commons.
More than 40 groups across a wide range of interests provide opportunities for social interaction, service to others, and exploration of subject matters beyond the classroom. These groups fall into seven categories from Academic Clubs to Greek Life to Social Organizations.
Academic Clubs plan and support subject-related disciplines and professions through academic and social events. The Chemistry Club, Spanish Club, and Debate Team are some examples.
Dr. Janice Moss is the advisor for the Debate Team, an organization that began in 2003 under her leadership. The team has made a name for itself over the years in both national and state parliamentary debate associations, placing in the top two against teams from schools like Georgia State University, Emory University, and Florida State University.
“We are looking forward to competing in several online tournaments this semester,” Moss said.
Dr. Elaine Brady is the advisor for the Chemistry Club. She said the club is open to anyone who loves science.
“Joining the Chemistry Club is a great way for you to share your passion for science with others. The Chem Club runs multiple events, seminars, and workshops,” Bailey said. “Each year we celebrate Chemistry Week and Earth Day with outdoor experiments for everyone. We also host some local high school field trips to the lab.”
Leadership Endeavors include organizations like the Campus Activities Board, providing cultural, social, recreational, entertaining, and educational programs for the Piedmont community, and the Lions Leadership Institute, designed to help students develop their own leadership styles.
TEAM Piedmont is another leadership endeavor. Its Student Ambassadors act as liaisons between the Office of Undergraduate Admissions and the outside community, providing campus tours to prospective students and their families, as well as prospective faculty and staff members. TEAM Piedmont also assists Undergraduate Admissions with on-campus recruitment events and help with day-to-day tasks.
There are several Media Clubs for students who want to write for the student newspaper The Roaror take to the air on Piedmont’s own radio station, WPCZ/Z98.7 FM. All students are invited to create content. Other media clubs include the Film Club, Radio Club, TV Club, and Yonahian Yearbook. Student media managers are also part of the Communications Student Leadership Council.
The Yonahian has been a part of the Piedmont community since 1920. Each year the staff produces a yearbook documenting the school year, including the students, faculty, and staff, as well as the major events that occurred. Students oversee the publication under the purview of the Department of Mass Communications.
Piedmont’s Service Organizations include the Piedmont Environmental and Conservation Effort (P.E.A.C.E.) and Rotaract. These groups are founded on the principles of ethics, friendship, and service. Rotaract, sponsored by the Habersham County Rotary Club, introduces the Rotary mission of “Service Above Self” to university students ages 18-30.
Earth Science professor Dr. Debra Dooley encourages students interested in joining P.E.A.C.E. to contact her at ddooley@piedmont.edu or Stewart Hall, office 310.
Dooley is also the Faculty Athletics Representative and urges students to learn more about Chi Alpha, the student-athlete honor society.
Honors Societies like Chi Alpha pursue excellence in all areas through scholarship, service to community, and leadership potential. Other examples include Chi Alpha Sigma, which recognizes student-athletes who excel both on and off the field of competition; Kappa Mu Epsilon, a national honor society that promotes interest in mathematics among undergraduate students; and Sigma Tau Delta, the international honor society promoting high academic achievement and the appreciation of literature, literary criticism, languages, and creative writing.
Social Clubs bring together like-minded students around shared interests like cycling, comic books, or the outdoors, to name a few. These connections add to a sense of belonging with opportunities for friendship and fun.
The Climbing Club is one example. Beginning climbers can learn to rock climb in a safe and fun environment. Students can test their personal limits and bond with other members. The importance of mental health and helping others with strategies for maintaining positive total body wellness are priorities for the Active Minds club.
Women’s fraternity Zeta Tau Alpha represents Greek Life on campus. ZTA fosters strength of character by emphasizing leadership development, service to others, academic achievement, and continued personal growth, with a commitment to friendship and the future.
Spiritual Life Organizations emphasize freedom of expression, dialogue and recognition of diverse convictions and beliefs. Activities focus on fellowship, outreach, worship, reflection, compassion, and social justice. These groups include the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the Washington Gladden Society, which serves as an umbrella for social justice concerns. The advisor is Campus Minister the Rev. Tim Garvin-Leighton. For more information, visit piedmont.edu/student-orgs.