Nearly 300 student organizations participated in the annual Student Activities Night, hosted by the Student Activities Office (SAO) in the Joyce Center from 7:00-9:00 p.m. Tuesday night. Academic, professional, service, athletic and other miscellaneous clubs explained their pursuits to interested students, who circulated between the organizations' tables.
Freshman Felipe Remolina said he was most interested in the Student International Business Counsel, the marketing club and the sailing club. He also said the wide array of groups represented by the many booths impressed him.
"I enjoyed the chance to get to know the breadth and diversity of student interests on campus," he said.
For several clubs, this event marked their first official appearance in the Notre Dame campus community. Sophomore Bryan Ricketts, founding member of the new PrismND organization for LGBTQ students and allies, said Activities Night allowed PrismND to reach out to students face-to-face and to establish a branded presence for their new organization.
"Having an official table and seeing the excitement on people's faces - it's great to have that affirmation," Ricketts said. "I think promoting a message here is pretty difficult, but I do think that it is great for branding the club and handing out information in a one-on-one interaction."
Ricketts said over the course of the two-hour event people from all sections of the community have signed up with PrismND.
The Humor Artists, reigning winners of Club Coordination Council (CCC)'s Club of the Year award sent several representatives to Activities Night. Junior Miranda Brickner and Senior Kyle McDonald, officers of the club, said they felt that attendees seemed enthused about the Humor Artists.
Brickner said an impressive number of students expressed an interest in the club.
"Many people came to seek us out, which goes to show how our club's popularity has grown," Brickner said.
McDonald said the congenial atmosphere at the group's performances is a large part of their appeal.
"I think that people really appreciate the opportunity to just relax and have fun when they take part in our shows, since we do everything through improvisation," McDonald said.
Freshman Ian Tembe said he found himself drawn toward the more academic clubs, though he said he still appreciated the fun opportunities represented by other clubs at Tuesday's event.
"I found that the more complex the presentation of a club was, the more I was drawn to it," Tembe said.
Tembe said colorful banners, cutouts, candy and the occasional interactive display caught his eye, drawing him to the clubs with a more extensive set-up.Tembe said he also appreciated that clubs can serve as co-curricular as well as extra-curricular activities.
"I'm interested in all kinds of disciplines, so it helps to be able to join a club in an interesting subject rather than taking a class."Tembe said.
