New Clubs and Organizations Address Mind, Heart, and Spirit

Photo caption: The new Mental Health Awareness Club sponsored “The Van Gogh Experience” in March, allowing students to relieve tension through painting.

Montgomery, Ala.—Huntingdon College junior Juanita Angarita, from Alabaster, Alabama, recently approached Dr. Anthony Leigh, senior vice president for student and institutional development and dean of students, with the idea to form a club for Hispanics, Latinx, and Friends. “Anyone is welcome to join,” says Juanita. “I just want to bring the community together to offer cultural understanding and language exchange.”

She, like many students who have proposed ideas for new clubs and organizations in the past two years, found a ready yes from the dean of students. “It’s a joy to work with students who are curious—who want to develop their own sense of the world through experiences they share with others—so I am happy to listen to their ideas and to support their personal and collective growth,” says Dr. Leigh. “More than any other description, students choose the word ‘home’ to convey how they feel about Huntingdon. It’s important for the College to not only accommodate students with inviting classroom and study spaces, living spaces, and great food, but also with ways they can learn, understand, grow, and explore in the comfort of friendship and camaraderie.”

There are multiple benefits for students who become involved in clubs and organizations. Students get out of their rooms, meet new friends, make connections, and learn about cooperation, people dynamics, dependability, responsibility, budgeting, teamwork, and the value of service. Because of Huntingdon’s size, involvement in student organizations often includes taking on leadership roles and developing leadership skills that are valuable for future employment and higher learning.

“Student Development provides supplemental learning,” says Dr. Kathleen Penney ’15, who served for three years as director of student activities and continues on staff in the Office of Student and Institutional Development. “Clubs and organizations, teams and gatherings help students meet students from different places and backgrounds, learn about other cultures and social norms, develop situational awareness … there are so many benefits for students who get involved.”

Chris Mayer ’22, who has organized and supervised Huntingdon’s Student Development initiatives this year, stepped into his role after serving in numerous student leadership roles before graduating. Originally from Vermont, he says participating with others helped him learn about his college home and surroundings. “I also learned time management, communication skills, conflict management—all transferable skills I can use in any career path.”

The college experience junior Jimmy Schomburg anticipated became anything but normal when COVID-19 shut down the world in March of his freshman year. A deeply committed Catholic, he sought refuge in Huntingdon’s Campus Ministries, which are ecumenical in spirit and offered in the Wesleyan tradition of United Methodism, but Jimmy needed the comfort of the tradition he knew and respected so well. He approached Rhett Butler ’13, chaplain of the College, about beginning a group on campus for Catholic students. “I don’t want to take away the Methodist identity of the College at all,” says Jimmy. “I want Catholics to feel welcome and a part of something, and I want others to learn more about an ancient and beautiful religious tradition.”

The Loyola Society meets monthly. “[Chaplain Butler] has been very helpful in getting this group started—so encouraging—and the fact that I found a local priest to help is incredible as well,” says Jimmy, referring to Father Andrew Jones of nearby St. Jude Catholic Church, who offers his time to meet with the group.

“Faith makes us better people,” says Jimmy, who is concerned that while some students turned toward their faith during the pandemic, just as many turned away from organized religion or from organizations in general. “We are growing up and becoming adults in this really difficult time, and it’s important to be grounded. I want people to know that there’s something here for you. Something true and good.”

The James Madison Society, the name for the new Huntingdon chapter of the Intercollegiate Studies Institute (ISI), has provided a series of provocative speakers during the 2022–2023 academic year. In February, Phillip W. Magness, senior research faculty and director of research and education at the American Institute of Economic Research, spoke on the topic, “The 1619 Project: Facts and Fictions,” to a group of 35 students. The event was co-sponsored by the History Club, an organization that formed last year. Earlier this semester, Michael Maibach, Distinguished Fellow for Save Our States, spoke on the nation’s electoral college system, and Rachel Ferguson, director of the Free Enterprise Center at Concordia University Chicago, spoke on “The Case for Pro-Black Conservatism.”

“The purpose of ISI is to build bridges and increase understanding,” says Dr. Marcus Witcher, assistant professor of history, who advises the club. “ISI is the most prominent conservative educational organization in the country.”

Huntingdon senior Mac Brooks ’23 serves as president of the Madison Society, which was founded last year by Stephen Thornton ’22. “I hope that this group starts conversations among the student population,” says Mac. “So far we have brought in speakers that give a more conservative or libertarian point of view. Our audience has reflected this [demographic] and I hope that in the future students of all political points of view will come and be willing to question the ideas they are hearing. The freedom to explore ideas is a core value of the Madison Society and is what makes it such a great learning experience.”

Houghton Library welcomed students to two new gatherings this semester: the Book/Film Club, and the Fiber Arts Club. The library also plans to offer “How to Become a Published Author,” a special seminar for aspiring writers, in April. Teaming with the Department of Language and Literature, twice each academic year the library offers Salons in which students and faculty gather to read literary works on a topic of interest, and once yearly the library presents a mini conference on a topic of choice, gathering participants from faculty, staff, and students.

Music groups are booming at Huntingdon, with the introduction of a Glee Club this spring under the leadership and direction of PresLee Pittman ’24; the resurrection of the Concert Choir and of Huntingdon Jazz, which had been silenced by the pandemic; and the burgeoning numbers in the band that have led to the creation of a Percussion Studio and Percussion Ensemble. The Scarlettes, a new dance team, took the floor during basketball season.

The Department of Teacher Education organized and installed a chapter of the nation’s largest honor society for educators, Kappa Delta Pi, in fall 2022. Separately, students have organized an Art Club, a Mental Health Awareness Club, a Hockey Fan Club, a Pre-Health Club, an Outdoor Club, and the Tooth Fairies, for pre-dental students, among other gatherings in the past two years. Ariel Dixon ’25 is collaborating with Dean Leigh to form a Women of Color group. The Future Physicians Club returned after a brief absence.

“Clubs and organizations at Huntingdon tend to ebb and flow with student interest, which I don’t think is a bad thing,” says Dr.  Leigh. “I’ve heard stories of the sailing club that existed about 20 years ago and that met the needs and interests of students who were here at that time. The students who were part of it loved it, but once they graduated there was no one with enough interest to keep it going. The more people who are involved in the planning and running of the groups, the better the chance that the club will continue after the founder has graduated. The most important objective to achieve is meeting students where they are and giving students room to grow and flourish. I love it when students come to me with ideas for new clubs. What better way to learn?”

The Glee Club will hold its first public performance, The Grammys, Friday, April 14, 5:00–6:30 p.m. in Ligon Chapel. The Art Club will host Chalk Wars, Monday, April 10, 12:30–2:15 p.m., on the sidewalks behind Flowers Hall. Hispanics, Latinx, and Friends will hold an interest meeting Monday, April 17, at 12:30 p.m. in Stallworth Dining Room. A Women of Color Luncheon is planned for Wednesday, April 12. A comprehensive list of clubs and organizations can be found at www.huntingdon.edu/get-involved.

Huntingdon College is a coeducational residential liberal arts college of the United Methodist Church offering more than thirty undergraduate programs of study, an Honors Program, Presidential Fellows Program, Kingswood Initiative, choral and instrumental music programs, dance and cheer teams, student organizations including Greek life and Campus Ministries, 21 NCAA-Division III athletic teams, and coed ESports, new for fall 2023. The College also offers the Master of Athletic Training.

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