The Sept. 27 Involvement Fair transformed Orton Center into a hub of profound activity. Put on by Student Involvement and Success, this event took place from 4-6 p.m. and displayed the vast opportunities awaiting students to enhance their college experience.
Students meandered through the diverse array of club tables, connecting with different organizations. Attendees were kept fueled with lemonade and four food stations: chili, sliders, tacos and bundt cake desserts.
The dessert station keeps the Involvement Fair sweet with its lemon bundt cake and strawberry sherbet. As for the icing on top, it was mostly allergen-friendly, being vegan. Photo credit: McKenzie Rose. 
Food pods like this taco station serve small meals during the Sept. 27 Involvement Fair. Although the tacos were small, they were full of flavor; taco-bout great food! Photo credit: McKenzie Rose.
Ibrahim Bedrous, the Assistant Director of Student Engagement, explained the purpose of the fair.
“The students can come and see how diverse our community is,” Bedrous said. “We’re talking about special interest groups, we’re talking about Greek Life, we’re talking about community service groups. This is a spirit-lifting event. In a few years they become the leaders of these clubs or even start their own.”
Sandy Vasquez, the Interim Vice President of Student Affairs, testified to the importance of the Involvement Fair.
“It’s about leadership development, skill development,” Vasquez said. “Equipping students with opportunities to not only connect in community, to be engaged, but also developing skills and leadership experiences to support their world. They are skills for life.”
There were over 70 organizations represented, ranging from academics to culture, and recreation to religion.
The Outdoor Program makes an appearance during the Involvement Fair. Throughout the year, they plan trips of various lengths to local and renowned areas like Zion and Yosemite National Park. Photo credit: McKenzie Rose. 
The Granny Squares Crochet Club operates a table during the Involvement Fair. This group enables students to engage a different part of their brains with relaxing crafts. Photo credit: McKenzie Rose. 
‘The Denominators’ Math Club poses for a picture during the Involvement Fair. This group strives to create a positive atmosphere for the subject by decorating Appleton Hall and holding Pi Day celebrations. Photo credit: McKenzie Rose. 
Catie Whitwood, Outreach Director for KDAWG radio, smiles for the camera. As the on-campus student-run radio station, KDAWG kept tunes flowing during the Sept. 27 Involvement fair. Photo credit: Kae Yeoh 
Asia Campbell showcases Taiko outside of the Orton Center. The Taiko Group was established by Professor Dr. Masako Nunn with the goal of engaging students in more aspects of Japanese culture. Photo Credit: Kae Yeoh 
Students who are interested in rushing check out various Greek Life orgs. The posters showcased various activities such as community service and social events. Photo Credit: Kae Yeoh 
A student inquires about Jasper’s Corner at the Sept. 27 Involvement Fair. Established in 2003, Jasper’s Corner is made up of university students who offer tutoring and homework assistance for local K-12 students free of charge. Photo credit: Kae Yeoh
The Denominators Math Club works to add a little fun to numbers by decorating Appleton Hall and throwing Pi Day celebrations. The Students for Environmental Action (SEA) Club promotes sustainability awareness through activities, like a freshman recycling competition and Clean Air Week. The Granny Squares Crochet Club provides the tools and atmosphere for relaxing crafts–and, as Club President Lani Vega ‘27 explained, crocheting isn’t just for Granny.
“It’s not a very popular hobby and doesn’t necessarily have a ‘young connotation,’ so we’re trying to break that stereotype,” Vega said.
Each representative from these groups explained that they thoroughly enjoy being members and spoke of the benefits of joining a club, such as the opportunity to combine their academic and personal interests.
“It’s very gratifying,” Vivian Reukauf, a senior majoring in Environmental Science, said of her SEA Club participation. “The work that we do supports my major and also motivates me to be more sustainable.”
“It’s really good for your mindfulness,” Vega, a Health, Medicine, and Society major, said of crocheting. “It’s a great stress reliever.”
Needless to say, with such a multitude of clubs and organizations, there is undoubtedly something for every student here at the University of Redlands.
McKenzie Rose is a freshman at Redlands with interests in Environmental Studies and Journalism. She worked for the last three years as a freelance journalist with the Hermiston Herald, a newspaper near her hometown of Echo, Oregon. She is looking forward to covering the interesting, the exciting, and the intriguing happenings at the university for the Redlands Bulldog!
