Eastern Illinois University hosted Panther Palooza on Tuesday at the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union and Grand Ballroom to introduce students to many different campus organizations.
The event ran from 2-5 p.m. and was moved from the Library Quad to the Martin Luther King Jr. Union University and Grand Ballrooms due to the heat.
Hundreds of EIU students gathered around many different booths with multiple registered student organizations to learn about what the different clubs on campus have to offer.
“RSOs are a great way to connect with others and connect with other RSOs,” said Willow Mercado, a senior psychology major and member of the psychology club.
Mercado said RSOs benefits students here on EIU’s campus in both communicative and academic areas.
“It’s a good way to make friends while on campus and to build a growing professional identity,” she said.
She mentioned how connecting with others can allow students to reach out to a crowd that they don’t usually come across, that way they can broaden their reach around campus during their time here at EIU.
Mercado hopes that the psychology club can reach anyone with both an interest in psychology and students who don’t major or minor in the subject.
“We want people to realize that it is an interesting topic for all majors,” Mercado said.
Katie Coffey, a Delta Sigma Pi member who is a junior and a management major, has similar advice for students looking for or scouting different RSOs.
“RSOs are a great way to connect with those that have the same interests as you,” Coffey said.
She continued to mention how joining registered student organizations can not only connect students to others with similar interests, but clubs and organizations can help students find the same career goals as other people.
Coffey is hoping to attract business students to Delta Sigma Pi while they are at EIU earning their degree. She wants to help those who join to make new connections and grow from the experiences they have in the club.
Senior member of the Panhellenic council Destiny Bitschenauer has the same guidance for students looking or thinking about joining RSOs.
“You need a positive mindset,” she said. “Not everything is sunshine and rainbows all the time.”
She wants students to try everything they possibly can and to get out of their comfort zone to make their college experience as wonderful as possible.
“Have an open mind and always be willing to try,” said Ella Mathews, a senior human services major and member of the Panhellenic council.
Michelle Doty can be reached at 581-2812 or at mrdoty@eiu.edu.
