More than 100 student groups set up tables on the Quad on Thursday, Aug. 22, during the 2024 Student Activities Fair. Club leaders shared their enthusiasm for their extracurricular activities in the hope of attracting new members as the academic year kicked off. With so many options, some groups included attention-grabbing items at their table to help them stand out. Check out some of our favorites here:
Ball, Water Polo Club: Nico Paoli ’26 shows off a game ball used in water polo matches. This co-ed club of about 20 students practices year-round and competes in the fall. Anyone can join; no experience necessary.
Book, Origins Club: Chaitanya Ruhatiya, PhD candidate, holds KRSNA The Supreme Personality of Godhead, one of the books members read in their investigation of spirituality. The group meets at the Campus Religious Center House on Saturdays at 6 p.m. for meditation, discussions, dances, and shared meals. The group, open to all, helps members “lead a life of happiness, peace, and good health through the process of Krishna Consciousness or God Consciousness as enshrined in ancient Vedic texts,” according to its website.
Letters, Alpha Xi Delta: One of seven sororities on campus (in addition to 13 fraternities), Alpha Xi Delta is a social group focused on the core values of sisterhood, service, leadership, and knowledge. Amanda Lota ’25, Megan Nead ’27, and Emily Grace Cater ’27 show off their chapter letters, just a few of the pink and blue items on their group’s artfully decorated table.
Storm Trooper Helmet, Galactic Senate: Aidan Connolly ’26 holds a 3D-printed, wearable, Storm Trooper helmet from the Star Wars Black Series video game. Members of the group, which has been around for about four years, meet regularly to discuss all things Star Wars.
Cacti, Crochet Club: Anoushka Mehta ’26 shows off a crochet project she completed recently, one of several displayed on the group’s table. Despite forming just last year, the group has about 40 members who meet to crochet together, socialize, and teach others this de-stressing activity. Some sell their creations at the Art and Design Club Fair at the end of D-Term.
Hat, Marching and Pep Band: Lucy Sullivan ’26 holds a uniform hat worn by members of the Marching Band. The Pep Band performs at all home football and basketball games, as well as occasional hockey games. A subset of the more than 100 Pep Band members makes up the Marching Band, which performs at half time at football games. The band also marches in Worcester’s St. Patrick’s Day parade.
Coffee Cup, Coffee Club: Achintya Sanjay ’26 holds one of the many coffee-related items on the table promoting this new group of about 20 students. Members meet for workshops on coffee making and then drink the results. They also plan to visit local coffee shops this year.
Hammer, Society for Medieval Arts & Sciences: Dan Hudon ’26, shows off a blue hammer, an example of the many unusual items used by this group’s more than 40 members as they practice the art of medieval combat. Also known as LARPers (Live Action Role-Players), members can earn physical education credit if they attend enough fight practice sessions, which occur twice a week throughout the academic year.
Rubber Duck, Social Committee: Libby Condrate ’27 holds a rubber duck, one of 2,500 the Social Committee hides around campus at the end of Quadfest, the week of fun senior activities at the end of the academic year. The student who finds the most ducks wins a television. Members of this club (on their own or in partnership with other clubs) plan fun on- and off-campus activities, such as bringing dunk tanks and bouncy houses to the Quad, or sponsoring field trips to local businesses, like the West End Creamery.
Cheese Hat, Cheese Club: Diego Xander Valenzia ’26, displaying a colorful cheese hat, says this 20-person student group meets bi-weekly to discuss and eat (but not make) cheese while enjoying each other’s company.
Drunk Goggles, S.M.A.R.T.: Samantha Germano ’25, a member of S.M.A.R.T (Students Making Active Response Together) holds goggles that mimic the effect of alcohol use on the wearer. The 50-member group, which encourages the safe use of alcohol and drugs, sponsors obstacle courses for goggle wearers and presents at New Student Orientation.
Bocce Balls, Italian Student Association: Tessa Phillips ’25 holds bocce balls to represent the many Italian-influenced fun activities that this 150-member group sponsors. A long-standing group that had been temporarily dormant until last year, ISA hosts meetings where members learn to cook Italian food, play Italian games, and learn the Italian language. All are welcome; no Italian ancestry necessary.
Shoe, Ballroom Dancing Club/Team: Brooke Patrick ’27 shows off a sparkly ballroom dancing shoe. The club hosts dance lessons on Tuesdays and Thursdays (for beginners through intermediates) and dance socials on Saturdays. About 20 members form the Dance Team, coached by professional dancers, which competes against other local college dance teams. Club members who attend enough practices can earn physical education credits.
Skateboard, Skate Club: Grace Hill ’26, president of one of the newest clubs on campus, shows off a custom-made board. Members plan to skate together, teach skateboarding skills to others, create obstacles, and visit local skate parks. They also want to produce video clip compilations on a regular basis.
For more information about these or any of the other more than 200 clubs on campus, visit the clubs and activities website or log into mywpi.wpi.edu.
