Bethel Student Government hosts a clubs and organizations fair

Brushaber Commons held a fair providing opportunities for students to get involved this Wednesday.

Callie Schmidt | News Reporter

The feeling of excitement walking into Brushaber Commons is almost tangible.

With booths lining all the way back to Student Life, Bethel Student Government Clubs and Organizations hosted a fair Sept. 7.

Junior business major Levi Bauer informs students at the Disability Awareness Group booth. | Photo by **Callie Schmidt**

Clubs ranging from Bethel College Republicans to Bethel College Democrats were across from one another, all containing information as well as representatives from each organization. Other organizations at the fair included club sports, academic associations and special interest clubs.

While the Bethel University College Republicans club has been an active presence on Bethel’s campus, the Bethel University College Democrats club just got reinstated this year.

The Bethel University College Republicans booth at the BSG Clubs and Organizations Fair September 7, 2016. | Photo by **Callie Schmidt**

Second-year BUILD student Ben Boatman speaking with senior philosophy and political science major Daniel Gray, President of the Bethel University College Democrats. | Photo by **Callie Schmidt**

According to Vice President Berit Turnquist, junior English and philosophy major, the Bethel University College Democrats club was active in prior years, but when senior leaders graduated, the club stopped meeting.

In prior years, approximately 10 people were involved in the club. However, approximately 60 people signed up to receive informational emails at the College Democrats booth today during the fair.

Turnquist thinks the increased interest can be attributed to it being an election year, as well as increased publicity. According to Turnquist, they are hoping to get 20-30 students committed to the club.

Faculty adviser Carrie Peffley, philosophy professor, and Club President Daniel Gray, senior philosophy and political science major, are assisting Turnquist in restarting the club.

“We’re trying to make the focus really not so much about Hillary Clinton or about the Democratic ideology, but more about social justice, community service in lower-income areas, and getting people involved in the dialogue of politics,” Turnquist said.

Senior psychology major Jessica Arend shows excitement over the Psychology Club at Bethel. | Photo by **Callie Schmidt**

Senior business major Collin Larson speaks with students about Bethel’s Nordic (cross-country) ski club. | Photo by **Callie Schmidt**

Sophomore psychology major JJ Anderson speaks with students interested in Bethel’s GlobeMed club. | Photo by **Callie Schmidt**

Special interest clubs at Bethel include:

City Front
GlobeMed
Anime Club
Better Together Club (Interfaith Youth Core)
Love Your Melon
CityFront Ministries
Creation Restoration
Disability Awareness Group
Electronic Music Assembly
International Justice Mission
Model UN
Mu Kappa
Swing Dance Club

Club sports include:

Beta Climbing Club
Bethel University Dance Team
Broomball
Men’s club hockey
Men’s club lacrosse
Nordic ski club
Swim club
Target shooting club
Ultimate Frisbee
Women’s club lacrosse

Academic clubs include:

Bethel Business and Economics Association (BBEA)
Bethel Student Nurses’ Association (BSNA)
Bethel Student Social Work Association (BSSWA)
Bethel University Student Athletic Trainers Society (BUSATS)
Biokinetics club
Chemistry club
Lambda Pi Eta (Communication Honor Society)
Pre-med club
Psychology club
Sigma Zeta (Math and Science Honor Society)
Tri-Beta (Biological Honor Society)
Women in Physics and Engineering (WPE)