Student clubs are back in full swing: Which organization will you join?

Josh Imhof | news editor

Xan Humphrey found himself at a rural farmhouse just outside of Waynesburg, Pennsylvania two years ago.

But Humphrey was not there to hike or learn about the history of the area. He was there to hunt ghosts.

“The unknown is the most interesting thing. I can never know everything, but getting closer to knowing about the afterlife is interesting to me,” he said.

The senior biology major is a part of the Paranormal Society at Duquesne, one of more than 300 student clubs and organizations at the university. Many of these were on display at the annual Fall Student Expo on Academic Walk Sept. 8 and Sept. 9.

Some clubs, like the Paranormal Society, allow students to embrace their creativity while making friends and learning about campus.

Members will often participate in what Humphrey calls “paranormal investigations” that take them around campus and the city.

Humphrey, who has been a member since the organization’s founding, said that joining a club has been helpful to open his mind up to new ideas.

Initially, he was not completely convinced that spirits and ghosts existed. During his time with the club though, he said he has had multiple encounters that have made him a believer.

“It’s really hard to describe,” Humphrey said. “Coming into the club, I was more of a skeptic. Seeing so many coincidences like that, it’s unreal … I’m definitely more open to believing than I was before.”

Other organizations, like the Outdoor Recreation Club, get off campus in different ways.

Trace Kellman, senior environmental science major, said the whole reason the club started was to do just that.

“I realized quickly that I regretted coming to a city school because the outdoor activities were lacking,” he said.

So, Kellman and his organization found a way to create the outdoor activities themselves.

Each week, the club hosts a variety of events, including rock climbing, day hiking, backpacking and paddleboarding.

While some students may not have done these activities before, Kellman said members of all skill levels are welcome.

Friends are important, especially when it comes to finding them in your major, said Mia Seyfarth, junior biochemistry major and vice president of the School of Science and Engineering Peer Mentoring Program.

The organization pairs incoming freshman STEM students with upperclassmen in order to make their transition into college easier. Seyfarth, who is originally from New Jersey, said the program made her arrival at Duquesne easier.

“Science is scary … All the majors sound scary, and it’s easy to get wrapped up in the stress very quickly,” Seyfarth said. “To just be able to say ‘Hey, do you want to go grab Starbucks?’ … It was nice to do that.”

Another community-oriented club, Dukes Against Cancer, is looking to make change in big ways this semester.

Started by Jameson Rusiewicz in the spring semester, the club has formed deep ties with charities like Make-A-Wish, Lending Hearts and the Mario Lemieux Foundation.

Dukes Against Cancer has already partnered with the Riverhounds, hosted guest speakers who are cancer survivors, and helped to make blankets and other items for cancer patients at local hospitals.

Now, Rusiewicz has even more ambitious goals.

“Last semester was great to create a foundation,” he said. “We want to make something that we could get as many people involved, but also help as many people as we possibly can.”

Rusiewicz and his board have spent their time reaching out to new charities and organizations to increase their club’s reach. While Dukes Against Cancer was up to 203 members as of Monday, Rusiewicz said they could always use more help.

“The more members we have, the easier it is for us to fundraise money, but also have more volunteers to run larger and better events on campus,” he said.

Each student club and organization’s upcoming events can be found on their campus link pages and social media accounts.

The Outdoor Recreation Club also has a variety of gear that can be rented out by club members to go on their own trips including tents, sleeping bags and more.

In addition to their recreational activities, the club also spends time volunteering at places like South Side Park and the National Aviary, where they assist visually impaired people in navigating the exhibits.

“We are community-oriented. Reach out to any of us,” Kellman said. “We will happily talk to you about anything outdoor related. We will talk to you as a friend.”

“Science is scary … All the majors sound scary, and it’s easy to get wrapped up in the stress very quickly,” Seyfarth said.

“To just be able to say ‘Hey, do you want to go grab Starbucks?’ … It was nice to do that.”

Another community-oriented club, Dukes Against Cancer, is looking to make change in big ways this semester.

Started by Jameson Rusiewicz in the spring semester, the club has formed deep ties with charities like Make-A-Wish, Lending Hearts and the Mario Lemieux Foundation.

Dukes Against Cancer has already partnered with the Riverhounds, hosted guest speakers who are cancer survivors and helped to make blankets and other items for cancer patients at local hospitals.

Now, Rusiewicz has even more ambitious goals.

“Last semester was great to create a foundation,” he said. “We want to make something that we could get as many people involved, but also help as many people as we possibly can.”

“The more members we have, the easier it is for us to fundraise money, but also have more volunteers to run larger and better events on campus,” he said.

Each student club and organization’s upcoming events can be found on their campus link pages and social media accounts.

Josh Imhof can be reached at imhofj@duq.edu

Alayna Alexander can be reached at
alexandera5@duq.edu