By Erin DeGregorio '16
While Siena College is well known for its small community-like atmosphere, an exception was made on Friday, September 11 when the student body came together on the Academic Quad for the annual Fall Club Fair.
With over 700 new freshmen and transfers on campus, in addition to commuters and residential students walking around the Quad, this year's club fair made a milestone in school history with the largest number of clubs and organizations participating to date, according to Andrew Murphy '16, student senate vice president. Over 100 clubs and organizations were represented, including Siena community partners like the Franciscan Center for Service and Advocacy, the Career Center, and the Damietta Cross Cultural Center.
Ranging from academic clubs to volunteer opportunities, every student had a chance to be involved by signing up for groups and organizations that matched their interests and passions. New clubs that made their debut at this year's fair were Service Sisterhood, Pre-Dental Club, Women's Soccer, Table Tennis Club, and Siena Fitness Club.
"It was nice to see a lot of variety in the different clubs, and having so many more choices to choose from made me more inclined to sign up for four instead of just one," said political science major Meghan Blasig '17.
The Student Senate, in conjunction with the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (R.O.T.C.) program, held a moment of silence midway through the festivities with R.O.T.C. cadets present on the main stage in remembrance of the 9/11 attacks that took place 14 years ago.
The afternoon also included a performance by the Siena S.O.L.I.D. Step Team; a Bhangra performance in association with the Asian Students Association; a barbeque-styled dinner on the Quad sponsored by Siena Fresh; and flavored shaved ices, courtesy of Kona Ice.
"I was extremely pleased with the turnout at the Club Fair and glad to see so many new students getting involved on campus," said Murphy. "It's important to show all that Siena offers and the annual Fall Club Fair is just one of many ways to show that."
The 2016 Spring Club Fair is anticipated to take place on Friday, January 22 in the Sarazen Student Union.
