Bulldog Bonanza gave students the opportunity to view all the registered student organizations on campus and have a chance to become connected to their community.
Bulldog Bonanza was held at the Robinson Quad on Wednesday, Sept. 10. There were over 200 RSOs and clubs presenting themselves to the Ferris community and encouraging students to get involved. The tables included academic programs, sports clubs, special interest sports, fraternities, sororities, political groups and more. They each gave students information pertaining to their RSOs in hopes of piquing the interests of nearby gatherers.
Many RSOs had trophies and awards they won in the past, poster boards of pictures from previous years and sign-up sheets open to all Ferris students.
Becoming a member of an RSO can be life-changing for some students. Health information management junior Kaylee Martin, who is the membership vice-president of Alpha Xi Delta, has found the friend group that she’s always wanted by becoming a member of a student-led organization.
“In high school, I never had a big friend group of girls,” Martin said. “I was actually bullied a lot in high school. When I came to college, I knew exactly what I was looking for. I knew I wanted this group of women to help support me and make me realize my potential. I found that within this group of women. I found the sisters and the best friends that I’ve always wanted. Truly, this organization has given me so much, and I want to give that to younger girls that are coming into college who don’t really know what to do from here.”
All students come from a variety of different backgrounds. Regardless, all students are welcome to join an RSO where they can be themselves with no judgment.
Public relations sophomore Kate Ritter, who is the president of the Public Relations Student Society of America, thinks her club can benefit students because of the opportunities surrounding their futures.
“Networking as a student is very important,” Ritter said. “If you graduate and you don’t really know what you want to do or you haven’t had any experience talking to any professionals, it kind of leads you into a space where you’re like ‘oh crap.’ Having that opportunity to go out there and figure out what you want to do is really important, and I think that’s why a lot of students do end up joining us because they want that additional experience.”
Ritter added that the RSO does tours every semester of different companies, giving students the opportunity to interview public relations professionals in the communication space, which can be beneficial for students who are unsure of their future careers or ideas.
English education junior Bradley Lardie, who’s the vice president of Dawg Pound, wants his RSO to be well-known across the Ferris community so that the organization can build and grow like the Ferris hockey team.
“Ferris used to be the hockey school,” Lardie said. “But we’re coming back. We got a new head coach, we got a lot of new players and all new coaching staff. This is going to be a rebuilding time. Not only are we rebuilding the team, but we’re rebuilding the community around the team. That’s why I think it’s important that we’re trying to get ourselves out there before the season starts. That way, we can build as the team builds.”
Joining an RSO will allow students to make friends and become a part of an organization that they may not have known existed. All RSOs are in need of new members not only to expand their groups, but to ensure that they feel connected and welcomed into the community.