New students searched for campus activities and organizations during the TJC Fall Activities and Apache Cookout on Aug. 24 outside the Rogers Student Center.
Activity directors and representatives of several organizations set up displays to inform students about the perks of join- ing their groups. Students received information about many organizations while having a good time.
Vincent Nguyen, director of the Center for Student life and Involvement, hung out under the tent and by the music setup and smiled as the disc jockey shouted over the music informing and entertaining everyone.
“It gave the students a snap shot of clubs, organization and venders,” Nguyen said. This activ– ity was held to show students what businesses they have access to in the community he continued.
Students hung around laughing and observing others. Some students heading to classes stopped to see what was going on and others grabbed information to go.
Disc Jockey KC is one of the most popular disc jockeys in East Texas and has appeared on the New York hit show “106th and Park.” He made announcements over the banging music, recognized organizations and encouraged people to visit booths and get information.
Steve Walker, a student from San Antonio, said he likes TJC a lot. His major is tennis coaching and management. Walker said he chose TJC because TJC offered this major.
Walker is a member of the Apache Chiefs, a group that wel– comes freshmen and gives them a tour of the campus. The fresh- men hung out in the Ornelas Residence Hall during orientation and spent the night. Steve Walker said he made acquaintances and friends since he joined.
Among the participants with booths was TRiO, which stands for Touching Lives, Reaching Out, Increasing Knowl– edge, and Opening Doors. TRIO is also known as Student SupPhi Theta Kappa, the academic
honor society, offered to help students get grants or scholarships. The League of Women Voters handed out cookies and brochures. Student Safety and Apache Pow Wow, were also among the many organizations there. Sunny Farley, the Campus Minister and TJC director of the
Wesley Foundation, explained that anyone is welcome to join. “We just open our doors to everybody,” Farley said.
Among other faith-based groups at the Fall Activities and Apache Cook Out was Interfaith, a group based on unity and diversity.
“The organization knows that students come from different walks of life and many foreign students are learning English and the American culture,” said Christina Eichelberger Interfaith president. “It’s kind of a hostile environment, but it gives them a place to call home.”
