Rattlers ready to strike with campus involvement

Students pose for a picture at the clubs and organizations fair. Photo courtesy: Ashley Bigbee

The Efferson Student Union and Activities hosted their annual club and organization fair Thursday in the grand ballroom. With Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University playing host to hundreds of various clubs and organizations on campus, thousands of students were eager to learn how they could become involved on campus.

FAMU’s hundreds of clubs and organizations range from Greek-affiliated organizations to performing arts and hometown organizations as well as a plethora of others. Some organizations present at the fair were Sistuhs Inc., Big Sister Little Sister, FAMU Pre-Dental Society, Strikers Inc. and Sigma Lambda Gamma Inc.

Broadcast journalism student Briana Jones-Gill shared how she focused on finding new organizations that were centered around community outreach and why others should be involved more on campus.

“I’m a strong believer that the key to a successful college experience is to be involved on campus,” Jones-Gill said.

She shared one last piece of advice for anyone nervous about getting involved.

“My one piece of advice to people who are interested in getting involved is to leave your fears at the door. College is the time to find yourself and to grow as an individual, and the only way to grow is through your mistakes so get out there and try something new!”

One organization that has a direct impact on the student body at FAMU is the Residence Hall Association. Demi Howard, an agricultural science major actively involved with RHA shared insight on what they do on campus.

“The Residence Hall Association promotes all large-scale events for on-campus residents while also assisting all resident’s endeavors,” Howard said. “Through RHA experiences, students learn the importance of collaboration, empathy, and responsibility, preparing them to become future leaders in their communities.”

FAMU’s Sankofa Kinship of Big Brother Little Brother program, also known as BBLB, was founded in 2010. The collegiate-based mentoring program pairs upperclassmen with incoming freshmen to form a brotherhood and shape the freshmen to be the better men of tomorrow. While his involvement spans across the entire campus, Kandon Fears, a broadcast journalism student, had earned an E-board position this school year with BBLB.

“I have the pleasure of serving as the Member Relations Chair for the 2023-24 academic school year,” Fears said.

Fears went on to detail the various community service events BBLB conducts each year, not only for the campus itself, but for the Tallahassee community.

While some organizations on campus like BBLB are mentorship-based, others are based on religion. One such club is the Family Worship and Praise Center Collegiate Prayer Group. Pre-physical therapy student Lauryn Peppers explains her involvement in her organization and how they serve their campus community.

“I serve as the Co-Event chair in the Family Worship and Praise Center Collegiate Prayer Group,” she begins. “We are an active organization that engages, equips, and empowers students by teaching the standards of God’s word. We host events through the year, hold weekly bible studies, and encourage one another. We know we are all one big family working to serve our mighty God.”

If you missed the fair, make sure to go on iStrike to learn about the different organizations you can get.