Student Organizations
Coming into college is fun and exciting, especially in new territory! We make friends in unexpected ways, whether it be through classes, campus events, student organizations, or even work. The best way to add fun into student’s college experiences is by getting involved! There are a ton of student organizations that are always accepting new members. Groups that are based on student’s interests, beliefs, and passions. The main 11 categories are: Affinity, Governance, Honor Societies, Major-Related, S.T.E.A.M., Special Interest, Spiritual/Religious, Sports & Recreation, Club Sports, Fraternities, and Sororities. If you see a category that you might be interested, keep reading!
Our Affinity organizations on campus include the Black Student Union and Falcons w/ PRIDE. The Black Student Union aims to offer the community opportunities for both cultural enrichment and intellectual growth through educational, social, and political programming.
Erica Lawrence, a senior and member of the Black Student Union, joined this organization because it’s a chance to learn more about the culture and history of African American history. “Other students should join and become more aware of the history as well as getting involved in programs and making connections that go past graduation. The more people, the more we can help educate others.”
In the Governance organizations, we have Student Government Association (SGA), Model United Nations Club, and College Republicans. SGA regulates matters pertaining to student life and is the voice of students. Members have the ability, to help shape Fairmont State policies and provide services to both the school and the community.
Sydnie Beall, a Senior Aviation Major, says she joined to make connections on and off campus. She has had many opportunities to expand her resume and gets to do a ton of volunteering. “Students should join because we make a lot of decisions that directly influence things on campus that affect them. SGA has something for everyone to be involved with.”
Fairmont State has many different Honor Society organizations to offer including:
- Alpha Eta Rho (Aviation Honor Society)
- Alpha Phi Sigma (Criminal Justice Honor Society)
- Alpha Psi Omega (National Theatre Honor Society)
- Beta Beta Beta (Biological Honor Society)
- Honors Association, and Psi Chi (Psychology Honor Society)
Alpha Eta Rho is an intercollegiate non-profit organization that serves as a contact between the aviation industry and educational institutions to foster, promote, and mentor student leaders through education, charity, scholarship, and service, towards successful professional careers in the aviation field and all its branches. Dana Goodman, a sophomore who is a member Tri-Beta, joined because it is a biology-based organization that is full of people with similar interests as her. “It really allows me to meet some people in the same sort of field.”
Major-Related organizations are known as:
- Health & Human Performance Club (HHP)
- Behavioral Health Association
- WV Society of Professional Surveyors
- American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS)
- National Security and Intelligence Student Association (NSISA)
The NSISA’s purpose is to foster a community among all students majoring or minoring in National Security & Intelligence by providing mentorship and networking opportunities within the organization.
Most of our organizations fall under the S.T.E.A.M. category which are:
- American Chemical Society Student Affiliates
- American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
- American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
- American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP)
- First2 Network
- Forensic Science Club
- International Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
- Society of Women Engineers
- Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) Falcon Racing
- AIGA (Graphics organization)
- Masquers
- Math Club
- Student Accountant Society
The Masquers organization provides students with a working theatre organization and to be the liaison between the theatre department and the campus community.
Erin Hohl, a communications major said she joined Masquers to remember how theatre was a part of her life in high school and she wanted it to be a part of her college experience. Erin says students should join because, “Masquers has developed a heartfelt acceptance of different personalities and opportunities to present to students across campus.”
Special Interest organizations include:
- Active Minds
- Creative Sustainability Club
- Explorers’ Club
- Student Nutrition Association
Active Minds is the nation’s premier nonprofit organization supporting mental health awareness and education for young adults. This student organization strives to reduce stigma surrounding mental health and encourage help seeking by opening conversations about mental health.
As for our Spiritual/Religious organizations, we have:
- Baptist Campus Ministries
- Campus Light Ministries
- Chi Alpha
- Young Life
Chi Alpha’s mission Chi Alpha is to reconcile students to Jesus Christ, thereby transforming the university, the marketplace, and the world. The core values are Community, Creativity, Diversity, Excellence, Integrity, and Servant-Leadership.
While speaking with Communications Major, Alec Coen, he said he joined Chi Alpha because he saw the community that they offered and knew that he wanted to be a part of it. “Others should join because you can meet life-long friends and some people’s lives radically change for the better.”
Sports and Recreation include two organizations that are Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and The Hidden Opponent.
Club Sports have a variety of organizations to join:
- Cheerleading
- Dance Team
- Track Club
- Men’s Rugby
- Women’s Rugby
- Women’s Volleyball
As for Fraternities, we have quite a few!
- Alpha Phi Alpha (Divine Nine Social Fraternity)
- Phi Sigma Phi (Social Fraternity)
- Kappa Kappa Psi (National Band Honorary Co-ed Fraternity)
- Sigma Omega Beta (Local Professional Fraternity)
The Pi Mu Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity is the first African American National Pan-Hellenic fraternity with a service organization mission towards leadership and service.
Last but certainly not least, we have Sorority organizations:
- Alpha Sigma Tau (Social Sorority)
- Delta Zeta (Social Sorority)
- Zeta Phi Beta (Divine Nine Social Sorority)
- Delta Xi Omicron (Service Sorority)
Delta Xi Omicron Professional Sorority strives to promote good fellowship and high scholarship, as well as improve social and personal standards. Delta Xi Omicron Professional Sorority is a place to gain a unique spirit of friendship. President of Delta Zeta, Abigail Thompson was super quiet and shy when she was younger, so if you were to have told her she would be in a sorority, let alone the president, she would not have believed it. When she first joined Delta Zeta, she met the actives for dinner and had a great time. “I just felt like I got along so well with everyone immediately and was so excited for the opportunity to have new friends.”
If students have any questions, they can email [email protected] or Assistant Director of Student Life, Evan Fossen, at [email protected].
