To join or not to join

The following article is the first in a series in which staff writer A. Sharp will examine different groups on campus and explore how they interact with one another and the students who join them.

The Student Union auditorium was filled Monday night with students from various organizations, even those I had never heard of, all ready to have a great evening at the Second Annual Student Organization Gala.

The gala was hosted by the University of Toledo‘s Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA).

Coming into the Union, there was a feeling of invitation with the big arch of colorful balloons and registration tables. Across the entire auditorium were about 50 circular dinner tables where students, UT staff and organization advisors sat. There was a DJ, a buffet table and even a photo booth with costumes.

Each table had a mixture of individuals from different organizations so people could network. I recognized friends, professors, advisors and even a number of people that I see every day around campus.

I felt a little uncomfortable at first but I decided to loosen up and mingle. Everyone was dressed in their ‘Sunday’s best’ attire, even those members of UT’s “Blue Crew” that were dressed in formal attire specifically dedicated to hiding their identities. Each wore a name tag with a pseudonym written on it, to be replaced by their actual names when they graduate.

The ceremony began with a welcoming by PRSSA Vice President and 2011 Gala Chair Katie Wente.

Wente was full of spunk and encouraged everyone at each table to enjoy themselves, network and learn about other campus organizations.

Next was the keynote speaker, Director of Academic Engagement Sammy Spann, who left us with motivational words that we could take home and potentially use in our everyday lives.

Spann is a face with which I have become rather familiar with over my past few years at UT. He gives great advice and always offers great words of wisdom for students like myself.

As we all continued to mingle, I had the pleasure of speaking to Spann, Project Manager of the Office of Student Involvement Jessica Merritt and a few ladies from the Black Student Union and Latino Student Union.

Before dinner was served a friend and I went over to the photo booth and took some photos in masks and fluffy pink boas. The photos were shown on a big projector for everyone to see, which was very embarrassing.

A night filled with fun and laughter, I thought this was a great way to start off my week by doing something fun and productive. This experience alone has given me a different view of the organizations on UT’s campus. There seemed to be involved individuals that were very welcoming and willing to share interesting information about their organization.

Now, I think that I might be getting closer to choosing a organization that is best for me, I’m sure it will be love at first sight.