Fall Student Organization Fair draws hundreds looking for opportunities to be involved

By Sonya Walker ‘20

Young Commons was packed Thursday afternoon as first-year students filled the brick walkways in front of Moseley Center to attend the annual Student Organization Fair.

Each fall at Elon dozens of student organizations set up tables on Young Commons to share information about their different groups, clubs, fraternities, sororities and more. They hope to pique the interest of potential members, with colorful signage, friendly greetings and sometimes, sweet treats helping attract attention to their tables.

Lauren Wasserman ’23 is excited about the possibility of joining club sports. “I swam in high school and I’m also interested in tennis. I didn’t do that in high school, but I want to do it here,” Wasserman said. “And then I’m excited to see what else there is because I want to get more involved.”

Rachel Sommer ’23 was focused more on academics than other activities before she came to Elon, so she has been looking forward to finding out about those opportunities at the Organization Fair. “When I was in high school, I didn’t really have a hobby — I just did school,” Sommer said.

“So I am excited to find a new hobby or activity!”

Gill Fertig ’22 found that I Am That Girl, a female empowerment group promoting self-love and expression, clicked for her after she joined last year. “I was a part of it last year and I loved it so much, I am happy to be president of it this year,” she said. “I’m hoping that the club can grow.”

First-year students are not the only ones who enjoy this fall festivity. Sophomores, juniors and seniors alike flock to the center of campus to represent the organizations they feel most passionate about.

​Michael Reed-Price ’20 has been a member of all-male a capella group RipChord since the beginning of his time at Elon. He has seen first-hand how student organizations bring people together.

“Being involved at Elon allows you to meet so many new people and do things you might want to try, things you might want to get better at, or things you are already good at,” Reed-Price said.

Lumiere Rostick, another Elon senior, says that her involvement with student organizations has shaped her time here and has been a major part of her Elon experience.

“Not only have I gotten the chance to find what I am passionate about, I have made life-long friends through these organizations, gained leadership positions,  gained an understanding of what it means to be a part of a team, to take change and to delegate things all while balancing school,” Rostick said. “It’s been a wild ride and I am very grateful I have had the opportunity to be involved in so much and to let Elon make an impact on me in a way that hopefully I have also made an impact on it.”