Discovery Fair introduces Behrend students to more than 140 clubs

ERIE, Pa. — Penn State Behrend students found plenty of options for their free time at the college’s Discovery Fair, the annual club showcase on the lawn of the Reed Union Building.

Major-related clubs? Check.

Faith communities? Check.

Greek Life? Sports? Theater? Check, check, check.

The event showcased many of Behrend’s 140 student clubs and organizations. Members brought props — a chessboard, a robot that launches T-shirts, and the college’s “Supermileage” vehicle, a tight-fit but efficient, at 2,420 mpg — to help students find their best extracurricular fit.

“I just want to meet people who want to do the things I want to do,” said Jack Norton, a first-year student.

Club involvement is a great way for students to make friends, said Kris Motta Torok, director of Student Leadership and Involvement. It also enhances the college experience in other ways.

“By being involved on campus, students learn interpersonal skills, leadership development, time management and more,” Torok said. “It’s an opportunity to put into practice the things they learn in the classroom in a setting where it is OK to make mistakes and learn from them.”

The Project Paws club attracted animal lovers who have a desire to serve. The club is active at local animal-rescue organizations.

“We help shelters with whatever they need,” said Emme Baldwin, the club’s president. “I just really love to work with animals, and I want to help in any way I can. I get to meet people, too, so it helps with socializing.”

Mairim Irizarry started Behrend First Gens with a friend after seeing a need as students who were the first in their families to attend college. This is the group’s first year as an official club.

“First-generation students can meet other first-generation students who have been in their place,” Irizarry said. “We hope it is a resource for students, so they don’t have to navigate this on their own.”

The Ceramics Club, another new group, aims to bolster the college’s arts programming. Although other clubs draw students who are interested in theater or music, the fine arts were not always represented, said Alexander Fisher, the club’s president. The Ceramics Club creates opportunities for students to try ceramics at no cost.

“This gives students an outlet for art,” he said. “We have the glaze, kiln and tools. If you are a pro, you can come in and work. If you are new and want to learn, we will teach you.”

Other clubs offer career-building advantages and networking opportunities. The “Supermileage” group — the Society of Automotive Engineers — takes a custom-built test vehicle to the Shell-Eco Marathon competition in Indianapolis every year.

“Whenever I have gone in for a job interview, I am always asked about my experience with this organization,” said Dylan Norris, a senior who participates in the club. “Having something like that on your resume is something employers look at. They like to see that you can balance schoolwork and a club.”

It has worked for Norris. He’s already working full time.

New student Izabelle DeVies was looking for options in biology, which is her major. She also hoped to explore some creative pursuits.

The challenge, for her, was in narrowing down the options.

“I like music, and I was looking at the Theater Club,” she said. “Just anything to get me interacting with other students at nighttime. The Ceramics Club also looked cool, and I kind of want to do the Gaming Club, too.”

For a full list of the more than 140 student clubs and organizations at Penn State Behrend, visit the club pages at Behrend Sync.