by Rachel Engel, WOSC freshman
It was one-stop-shopping for Western Oklahoma State College students
on August 29, as the Organizational Fair took place from 8 a.m. to 1
p.m. in the Student Center and surrounding the campus bookstore.
"The purpose of the fair is to expose new students to our wide
variety of campus organizations," Chad Wiginton, director of college
and high school relations, said. Popcorn and drinks were offered to
students as they roamed the length of the Student Center while
representatives from each organization manned booths and offered
students information about their club, along with answering any
questions they might have.
"It’s a good way to get students interested in things they may not
have given a thought to before," Ruth Mesa, co-sponsor of the
Criminal Justice Club, said.According to Mesa, the Criminal Justice
Club gives students a good idea of what a job in the criminal
justice field entails. "We allow them to see what it’s like," Mesa
said. "We take trips to the Oklahoma City bombing site, and to the
9-1-1 facility, also located in Oklahoma City, and the students can
get a real feel of the job."
Mesa believes the club is often where students decide whether a
criminal justice profession is right for them."Some students have
never visited a jail before, and might decide afterwards that it is
not the job for them," Mesa said.Not all of the student
organizations are geared toward career choices.
Some focus on religion or provide a place for other students to
learn and find support."We’re a Christian organization," Kelsey
Haught, a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA),
said. "Students don’t have to be athletes to join; we’re always
looking for new members."
Other organizations are focused on making Western more enjoyable for
students and act as a bridge between students and administrators.
"We try to make improvements to the school for the students,"
Student Senate member, Jared Speer, said. "We’re involved with most
of the student activities, such as homecoming."
According to Wiginton, the organizations received good feedback to
their booths."All of the student sponsors and leaders felt good
about the inquiries they received about their organizations,"
Wiginton said. "Many students signed up to become members of various
clubs." While many factors helped to make the fair a success,
Wiginton credits much of it to the sponsors of the student
organizations. "I really appreciate the efforts of the faculty and
staff in helping make these organizations happen," Wiginton said.
Students can find more information about on organizations online at
www.wosc.edu or by visiting the Office of College and High School
Relations.
