Many Clubs on Campus, Plenty of Room to Get Involved

Getting involved in campus activities and socializing on campus can be a daunting task for many new students, but Hudson Valley Community College has approximately 50 chartered clubs and organizations to make this easier and more enjoyable.

“All campus clubs are open to all HVCC students,” says Professor Jeffrey Schoonmaker, faculty adviser for the Student Christian Association. “It is the camaraderie, friendships, growth, and mutual encouragement and support that occur, primarily at our weekly meetings, that is a great benefit for the members.” The clubs are all unique in purpose and diverse in membership. Clubs range from the strictly educational to the solely recreational, so there is something for everyone. “We have lots of fun and welcome new members!” says Professor Ian LaChance, theatre club adviser. Some of these clubs, such as the Muslim Student Association and the Black and Latino Student Union, celebrate and spread awareness of certain religions and cultures. Others, like the Animal Outreach Club and the Habitat for Humanity Club, unite likeminded people with common goals.

There are also clubs that are most suitable for academic-minded people and students seeking professional experiences. For example, the Niemond Zonders Club was created by nursing students and does health-related volunteer work, and the Radiologic Technology Club provides opportunities for radiography students. The American Society of Civil Engineers Student Club is another example. “Our club is a student branch of a professional organization,” says adviser Professor Craig D’Allaird. “Students who plan to pursue a career in civil engineering have excellent networking opportunities through our student club.” For the athletically inclined, several sports-related clubs also exist. These include the Running Club, the Wrestling Club, the Table Tennis Club, and the Ski and Snowboard Club. “Our club is the largest and most active on campus,” says the Table Tennis Club’s faculty adviser, Professor George Nagy. “We are also the oldest club with an uninterrupted history of 37 years.” Students with a flair for the performing arts may wish to join the Hudson Valley Dance Team, which participates in talent shows and lends support at campus sporting events, or perhaps the Theatre Club, in which members not only act and direct, but also design sets, costumes, lighting, and sound.

All of the campus clubs hold regular meetings and often partake in various club-related events and activities. These can include fundraisers, speeches, competitions, and trips. “We compete annually in the Student Steel Bridge Competition and the Concrete Canoe Competition,” Professor Craig D’Allaird says about the American Society of Civil Engineers Student Club. “Our region is very competitive.” The faculty adviser for the Jewish Student Union, Professor Crystal Heshmat, enthusiastically lists some of the club’s activities. “Events have included a Shofar workshop, a presentation of Sukkah on campus, a Chanukah Party, and an information table for Purim.” Other campus clubs are no less active – the Investment Club enjoys mixers and competes in investment challenges, the Environmental Sustainability Committee organizes the Earth Day event and Electronics Recycling event, and the Theatre Club produces five shows every academic year.

The designated time for regular club meetings is Mondays from 2-4pm, when no classes are scheduled. Most clubs hold weekly meetings during these hours, and these meetings are open to all interested HVCC students. Joining a club can have many benefits for a student. “The social experience of joining a club can truly enhance a student’s college experience,” explains Professor Ian LaChance, faculty adviser for the Theatre Club. “Additionally, having club membership can make students more appealing to potential transfer schools.” If a group of ten or more students has a common interest that no existing group caters to, it is also welcome to create its own and request official recognition. In the words of Investment Club adviser Professor Joseph Stenard, “You get out of life what you put into it.” For more information on campus clubs and organizations, visit www.hvcc.edu/clubs