Stepping Outside the Classroom

The best way to enrich your life and the lives of others while at Penn State University Park is to participate in the campus and surrounding community. Discover new challenges and meet new people in any of the more than 600 student organizations.

A wonderful way to make friends is through participation in academic clubs and student organizations. The college student councils bring together students to collaborate on issues of common concern. For almost every major you will find a club or society which relates what you learn in the classroom to your career interests. A sampling of these academic groups includes the accounting, electrical engineering, business, art education, biology, and sociology clubs. Several honor societies, such as Golden Key International Honor Society and National Society of Collegiate Scholars, recognize outstanding scholarship, leadership, and service among undergraduate students.

Opportunities also exist for you to exercise and have fun through intramurals, club sports, and recreation organizations. These groups span a variety of interests. From chess and dance to billiards and cycling, equestrian and crew to gymnastics and the martial arts, you are sure to find your niche at Penn State University Park.

Volunteer your time and energy to help others through leadership and service. The Center for Student Engagement's volunteer program, the Service Learning Coordinators (SLC), helps connect students with local community agencies. The Undergraduate Student Leaders (USL) are trained student-leadership consultants who provide workshops and seminars on a variety of leadership topics for student organizations and community groups.

If you've been involved in theatrical or musical presentations, or if you've written for a newspaper or yearbook, numerous opportunities await you. Penn State Thespians seeks aspiring actors and theatre production people. More than a dozen orchestras, choirs, and bands in the School of Music involve students who are interested in music--both as music majors and nonmajors. The Daily Collegian (student newspaper), La Vie (yearbook), and The Lion 90.7 (campus radio station) appeal to students who enjoy communications. Develop new skills and explore new interests through these and many other organizations, which exist to enhance your college experience.

How do you learn what is available at the University Park campus? The HUB-Robeson Center houses many student organization office as well as recreation areas, such as a billiards room, arts and crafts center, and art galleries. Stop by or contact the Center for Student Engagement, 209 HUB-Robeson Center (814-863-4624) or check out the student organization club Web site at www.clubs.psu.edu. This office also coordinates both the involvement and volunteer fairs each semester so that you can interact with members of student groups and community agencies. Finally, the Daily Collegian’s "What’s Going On" page, published every Monday and Friday, publicizes group meetings, campus activities, and major events.