Fraternity brothers Heu Van Le and Justin Olin set up the Sigma Alpha Epsilon booth to promote fraternity rush for the spring semester. Clubs and organizations across the La Verne campus set up information booths on the mall walk Feb. 1. / photo by Scott Mirimanian
Mariela Patron
Staff Writer
The University of La Verne welcomed back new and returning students to spring semester with the LeoVille Club Fair on Feb. 1 at the University Mall.
The event included free food along with music provided by LeoFM.
Every semester the club fair provides a way for students to become more involved in different activities, and serves as an opportunity for clubs to become better known around campus and recruit new members.
“I am looking for just a friendly bunch of people, and learning something new about Americans,” Camille Knowles, an accounting major from England, said.
A total of 22 clubs participated in the event as well as four school departments: housing, admissions, the College of Business and Student Life.
The fair provided a variety of clubs, from sports to philanthropic and academic organizations.
Many of the students attended the event in search of ways to further their college experience.
The fair also provided the chance to bring different cultures together.
The Muslim Student Association, which was started three years ago, took the chance to explain to students that everybody is welcome to join regardless of their cultural background or religion.
“We are trying to spread knowledge about Muslims and help break down stereotypes,” Nawal Atoura, secretary of the MSA, said. “This club is for anybody that is for equality.”
A member of the MSA was also in charge of writing names in Arabic for anybody that stopped by their booth.
Greek life was also represented by Phi Delta Theta and Sigma Alpha Epsilon.
The College Panhellenic Association, which is in charge of sororities, provided interested students with information about the requirements and the fits of joining a Greek organization.
Unlike most clubs, Greek organizations have requirements to join, such as at least a 2.5 GPA and a minimum of 12 units.
“[Greek life] is a network of people from different places, for example Canada, and we also do philanthropic work,” Monique Osorio, CPA president, said.
Another philanthropic organization that participated was the Student Philanthropy Fellowship that promoted their Spotted Pig Campaign which provides money to students in need of an emergency fund.
Some students were not only looking for clubs that would serve as a social outlet but would also benefit their academics and prepare them for life after college, such as the Accounting Club.
“I am thinking about joining the Accounting Club,” Alejandra Padilla, an accounting major, said. “They have a lot of networking and invite firms you can meet. They also give you discounts for Certified Public Accountant courses.”
The First Generation Student Success Club also offered students academic growth by providing mentors and different workshops to any student in need of guidance or motivation.
First Generation invited all students to attend their workshops and their upcoming Diversity Retreat regardless if they are the first generation in their family to attend college, or not.
Apart from school organizations the club fair had vendors that included Trunk Trends, a mobile clothing boutique, and Mary Kay, which offered job opportunities to students.
Roots, a new hair salon located on D Street, was also in attendance promoting their business.
The club fair proved a great way to motivate students to become involved in school organizations as well as inspire people of different interests to come together to show students that there is more to college life than academics.
Mariela Patron can be reached at mariela.patron@laverne.edu.
