At Ohio University, students are empowered to make change across campus and around the world. Many of these students showcased their efforts at the Bobcats Making a Difference Involvement Fair on Friday.
The event was hosted by the Center for Community Engagement and the Center for Student Engagement and Leadership. The fair took place in the Academic Engagement Center, showcasing a variety of student organizations committed to making a difference through community engagement, service and advocacy work.
American Sign Language Club
The American Sign Language Club is an opportunity for students to learn more about ASL and the deaf community. Throughout the academic year, members partake in a variety of events including the signing of the National Anthem at sporting events and a silent getaway.
“Our faculties are amazing,” said Giana Masony, a junior studying speech and language pathology and a representative of the club. “They are all so helpful. A lot of them are deaf which is really cool to learn from them.”
Kaleigh Blatz, a junior studying speech and language pathology and a club representative, explained ASL Club is an impactful opportunity to understand the language and engage with other interested members.
“That's a big thing that we do: spread awareness about ASL and Deaf culture,” said Blatz.
Sierra Student Coalition
The Ohio University Sierra Student Coalition is an opportunity for students to engage in environmental advocacy.
“It's really just about being with like-minded people who are passionate about the environment and spreading that awareness about issues speaking about and related to the environment,” said Jayne Wallace, a sophomore studying geography environmental pre-law and a representative of the Sierra Student Coalition.
Wallace explained the group participates in environmental education efforts, partakes in outdoor activities and strives to spread awareness. Currently, the Sierra Student Coalition is focused on planning Earth Month-related events.
OU’s Habitat for Humanity
OU’s Habitat for Humanity is a student chapter of the national Habitat for Humanity non-profit. The chapter brings students together to build homes and raise money for sustainable housing.
The chapter president, Collin Kifer, a senior studying environmental biology, said there is no better feeling than giving someone access to housing.
“It's just indescribable seeing the look on their face when they see that housing is not something that they have to worry about,” said Kiefer.
OU Victims Rights Ambassadors
Victims Rights Ambassadors at Ohio University are on-campus ambassadors for the Ohio Crime Victim Justice Center. The group works to educate about the rights crime victims have in court.
Makayla Schrader, a sophomore studying classical civilizations and the representative for the Victims Rights Ambassadors, explained the group is currently working with an equity campaign to ensure there are no discrepancies for people of color, different gender identities or sexualities within the court system.
“The fact that I get to kind of teach other people this and inspire other people to learn more about it is really, really important because I hope it never happens to another person,” Schrader said.
Alpha Phi Omega
Alpha Phi Omega is a co-ed fraternity dedicated to service work. Different work completed by the group includes card and blanket making for children’s hospitals and blood drives.
Taylor Graham, a junior studying biology and a representative from Alpha Phi Omega, said the fraternity gives people an opportunity to connect with the local Athens community through service work.
“It feels good to be able to give back to the community, especially not being from this area,” Graham said. “It's nice to get away, be on a college campus, but also be able to give back to that community in the area.”
Ohio Bobcats for Discovery
Bobcats for Discovery is a student organization dedicated to fostering a connection between OU students and the Ohio Valley Museum of Discovery.
Colton Ashcraft, a junior studying physics and a co-founder of the student group, said the goal of Bobcats for Discovery is to create volunteer opportunities while simultaneously supporting the work of the Ohio Valley Museum of Discovery – a museum powered by STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math).
Best Buddies OU
Best Buddies is an international organization that fosters friendships between people with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities. The group works closely with the Athens County Board of Disabilities to create one-on-one friendships.
“It's just really been a great opportunity to interact with people with disabilities, and helping them to make their voices heard,” said Corey Roger, a junior studying speech and language sciences and a Best Buddies representative.
Like all of the other organizations that attended the Bobcats Making a Difference Involvement Fair, Best Buddies gives OU students an opportunity to be a part of something bigger than themselves.
“We meet once every other week to put on activities,” said Grace Butina, a sophomore studying speech and language sciences and a representative of Best Buddies. “Everybody can sort of come together as a bigger community, and just enjoy each other's company."
