Pride, posters and pizza
Organizations from Audio Pilots to Zeta Tau Alpha gathered Friday, Aug. 26, on the Central Mall for the University of Dayton’s annual Up the Orgs celebration. As students of all classes and majors traversed the field full of information tables, they were greeted by enthusiastic student leaders, ready to chat about their organizations and even incentivize potential new members with candy.
Hundreds of students interested in joining clubs and organizations were present, and the hustle and bustle of the afternoon was especially exciting due to how the pandemic had interrupted recent years’ events.
“I was shocked to see a lot of people here because, my first year, it was virtual,” explained junior Kat Bishop, the vice president of women’s music organization Sigma Alpha Iota. “It’s just so interesting to see just how many clubs there are on campus, how many options you have to join, and find passions you might not be able to do through your major.”
Raising awareness was the primary goal among the organizations present, including Sigma Alpha Iota.
“At Up The Orgs, we’re hoping to grow our membership numbers, get more people interested in music and get the word out that we’re an organization that people who love music, women and nonbinary students, can join,” Bishop said.
Another organization raising awareness was Students for University Advancement, whose members promoted their organization with music and complimentary sunglasses.
“We’re really here just to get SUA more out on the radar through the whole UD community,” explained junior Luka Viskovic. “We are sort of a newer organization, so we are trying to just build that awareness and let everyone know that we really are here for every organization.”
SUA helps to fundraise for the University, hosts activities for One Day, One Dayton, promotes Flyer Funder and aims to support fellow campus organizations and the University as a whole.
Whether it was coupons from Domino’s Pizza or CDs from the Flyer Pep Band, no student left Central Mall empty handed.