Here at UD, we have many clubs students can join to pursue their interests, become more involved and find their community on campus. With the demands of a UD student, it can be hard to make time to become involved on campus–you may not even know how to start. However, it’s important to become a well-rounded individual as well as a good student, and clubs can further this goal.
Joining a club can be a good way to meet people with similar interests and values on campus. We have clubs focused on many different special interests, such as advocacy and service, creative arts and humanities and culture and faith–to name a few.
English majors might find Sigma Tau Delta appealing with its identity as the English Honors Society. Larisa Tuttle, the club officer, said, “The club’s main purpose is to connect University of Dallas English students to other students studying English throughout the world, and also to Apromote literary events on campus.”
Although membership requires invitation based on GPA, Sigma Tau Delta hosts a number of events on campus that are not exclusive to its members.
“We have senior Junior Poets students talk to students who are currently in Junior Poets about what they did, how they survived, and then we also have a birthday party for Shakespeare in the spring,” Tuttle said.
Sigma Tau Delta membership might be a good indicator of a student’s commitment to and love for English to prospective hirers. “Another big part of Sigma Tau Delta is that it’s something students can put on their resume to show that they’ve done well in their English class… Interviewers can see that you’ve had this solid commitment and you’ve also been involved with the literary community at large,” Tuttle said.
For the students that are more led to advocacy and service, Crusaders for Life is a club of pro-life students who “are committed to defending life, being a voice for the voiceless and helping moms feel like abortion is never a good choice,” said Martha Depew, the club officer.
Depew especially noted the pregnant planning scholarship CFL offers. Depew said, “We have a pregnant and parenting scholarship which helps students at University of Dallas to further their education [financially] and not feel like they have to choose between their baby [or] their career.”
To help raise money for their needs and help pro-lifers get more involved, Crusaders for Life hosts events that double as fundraisers. “We have a lot of fun social events that also work as fundraisers. Like, the last two falls, we’ve had a Respect Life Dance, so all the proceeds go to our pregnant and parenting scholarship or whatever else Crusaders for Life needs, but it’s also just a really fun swing dance,” Depew said.
Crusaders for Life’s events are open to everyone. But students shouldn’t feel like they have to commit to every event. “It’s the sort of thing where you can just come to a few during the semester because there’s honestly a lot going on,” Depew said. If students are interested in CFL, they should email Martha at mdepew1@udallas.edu to be added to the mailing list.
At UD, the club spirit remains even when club officers are in their Rome semester. Peter Prudlo and Clark Raab have plans for the Cinema Connoisseurs Club when they return.
Prudlo shared they plan to add to the club by watching movies with topics and themes found in Core classes. “We also hope to bring in professors to present and talk about movies that they think are relevant and important for young people to see as they continue their formative years,” Prudlo said.
Whether you’re looking to meet new people, contribute to your community or further your academic career, there’s a club for everyone!
If you’re interested in joining one of the aforementioned clubs or finding out about a different club, you can find more information on UD’s website.