Rutkowski //Dylan Jian Barrick
Ibrahim Aksoy and Ashley Diaz, Staff Writers
This year, Bergen Community Colleges annual September Club Day had many tables ready to greet students and potential members on campus. Clubs from all different areas of interest were able to display and welcome new and returning students to become members of their communities. From clubs that focus on cultural identity to the environmental awareness clubs, all were able to bring attention to their cause and offer a new interest to other BCC student.
The Polish and Slavic Culture Club’s goal is to promote the culture, knowledge and history of Poland and other Slavic countries like Bulgaria, Serbia and Russia. A considerable amount of Polish and Slavic people live in New Jersey and come to study at Bergen Community College, so psychology professor Dr. Robert Wiater decided to connect those who identify with Polish and Slavic culture.
The Philosophy Club is under the leadership of Kevin W. Olbrys, professor of philosophy and department chair at Bergen Community College. Professor Olbrys teaches ancient philosophy and thinks that students should be discussing unknown realities and trying to find solutions to unanswered questions while developing their minds. The Philosophy Club aims to promote philosophical discussion and thinking, and meets on Tuesdays from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.
One of Bergen’s most elite and largest clubs is Phi Theta Kappa Honors Society. The president of the club, Tyler Zamski, shared information for the club. PTK is, as Zamski described, “unlike any other club in Bergen.” While most clubs meet with all members on some sort of schedule, only the PTK board meets on Fridays.
This is an international honor society and has over 1,000 members in the Bergen campus alone. Because of this, members outside of the board do not meet on a regular basis. However, members are encouraged to participate in volunteering events the club has. Members with over eight hours of volunteering become enhanced members. This title goes on a certificate when they graduate, adding to the resume. The club is an honor society for students of outstanding academic achievements. Aside from looking for students who are driven and care for their future, they are also able to help with scholarship opportunities.
One of the more colorful clubs on display was Bergen Pride, which represents Bergen’s LGBT students. Professor Jim Bumgardner handed out rainbow hearts to anyone who visited the table. Bumgardner is one of the co-advisers for the Pride Club and he believes their main objective is visibility. Pride Club has shown them that there is no shame in being true to themselves, according to Bumgardner. The club meets every Tuesday from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. When they meet, they discuss what is going on around them or plan events such as walks or dances, and are looking for members with new ideas for their club.
The clubs started in the third week of the academic calendar. Students who have signed up for clubs are advised to follow up on their emails so that they will be able to get involved in them at Bergen.
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