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There are many things a college student budgets time for, class, food, studying and socializing. Taking part in a club or activity may seem like a daunting task, but the academic, social and professional opportunities found within higher education’s extracurricular offerings can help a student learn time management, gain a new skill and network with their peers. Clubs and organizations on college campuses range from athletics to academics to somewhere in between—if there’s an interest, there’s a chance there’s a club for it. Here are a few choice options for students at local institutions.
Misericordia University
Cougars for Change: An organization that works toward sustainability on and around campus by supporting initiatives to reduce waste.
Dead Alchemists Society: This chemistry club has been part of the Misericordia community for more than 20 years and, according to Director of Student Activities Darcy Brobmerkel, their annual Boom in the Night Halloween event draws in members of the local community.
“Their experiments are kind of creepy and eerie,” Brobmerkel said. “The pumpkins will start oozing foam out of their mouth, things like that. Kids love it and it’s always packed.”
Ultimate Frisbee: According to Brobmerkel, The Misericordia Ultimate Frisbee Club is experiencing a rebirth. The club became inactive a few years ago, but a number of students signed up for it this year at the university’s annual club fair. Prospective Ultimate Frisbee Club members can expect to play competitively against other clubs in the area.
Sports Management: Misericordia’s Sports Management Club is open to all students, but those interested in or studying sports management will get the most out of the experience. Students should expect to take part in a variety of activities and fundraisers that give them the opportunity to visit professional sports teams in New York or Philadelphia and speak with the top professionals in the field.
King’s College
The Scop: The Scop, pronounced “Shope,” is a fine arts organization on the King’s campus that promotes the prose, poetry, photography and artwork of the members of the King’s community. Interested students can assist with the club’s publication or submit their own work.
Campion Society: The official literary club of King’s, Campion Society meets four times a semester with time split evenly between open readings and writing workshops. The club participates in a volunteer project each semester, like volunteering at the Back Mountain Library.
Coding Club: King’s College’s Coding Club meets weekly to tackle practice problems from the world of coding. The club, which sends members to represent the college in competition, requires members to successfully complete King’s CS116 and CS117 courses, as well as pass a test at the end of each spring semester.
Emergency Response Team: King’s College’s ERT is an organization made up of students who are trained in first aid, CPR certified or work as EMTs. Members aren’t required to have medical training, but the club encourages experienced students to join. ERT responds to medical incidents across the entire King’s campus.
Penn State Wilkes-Barre
THON: THON is the largest student-run philanthropy in the world, and Penn State Wilkes-Barre offers their students a chance to contribute to the cause. The club’s yearlong efforts culminate in their annual 48-hour dance marathon benefiting the Four Diamonds Fund at Hershey Medical Center.
Nerd Herd: If comic conventions are your safe place then the PSW-B Nerd Herd are your people. The Nerd Herd makes room for every fandom, be it Doctor Who, anime, Marvel, DC—if someone has cosplayed as it, the Nerd Herd has a place for it.
Survey Society: The Penn State Wilkes-Barre Surveying Society meets every Friday at 12:10 in the campus’ Tech Center. They promote geocaching as a hobby, as well as hear guest speakers and attend attend conferences.
Lazy Artist’s Society: The Lazy Artist Society’s name is deceiving; the club has their hand in everything from car shows to open mic nights and DJ sessions in the student commons. For fans of: promoting the arts in a socially accessible way.
Wilkes University
Speech & Debate Team: Wilkes’ Speech & Debate Team host two tournaments each year, so they have a wide variety of needs. They’re open to adding new competitors, but they have to bring marketing, public relations and event management personnel into the fold to help promote events. Students interested in becoming part of either team can inquire at Speech Team meetings.
Zebra Communications: Zebra Communications is a public relations agency founded in 1999 that’s staffed entirely by Wilkes students. The agency takes on real-world clients both on and off campus, giving the undergraduate students involved with the agency hands-on experience in their field.
Indian Cultural Association: Wilkes’ Indian Cultural Association’s mission is to expose the college’s community to the culture while encouraging understanding, education and tolerance. The group celebrates Diwali (the festival of lights) during the fall semester and Holi (the festival of color) in the spring.
Circle K: The Wilkes chapter of Circle K was chartered in 1962 and was the first in the Wilkes-Barre area. The group’s aim is to build leadership skills by promoting service for children, the elderly and those less fortunate. Wilkes students involved with Circle K volunteer for organizations like the Red Cross, the Salvation Army and Habitat for Humanity.
