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Being at Augustana Campus comes with its perks like getting to know your professors one-on-one, running into mostly the same people and being the first to know when the breakfast sandwiches are out in the Forum.
But even in a small community, you might feel disconnected from campus life. When I asked other students why they felt that way, some blamed it on the great shift (a.k.a. COVID-19), while others felt there weren’t enough clubs on campus — or at least enough active ones.
So, I spent a week seeking out some of Augustana’s lesser-known clubs and the people behind them. I hope that someone reading this might discover a new interest, meet new people and find a community to belong to.
Here’s what I found, along with some advice for finding community.
“Speak and be comfortable with your voice.”
— Agora: Augustana Public Speaking Club
At a smaller campus like Augustana, you might expect it to be easy to find your people. But sometimes, finding community starts with having a space where you feel comfortable sharing your ideas.
In ancient Greece, that space was called an agora: a public gathering place where people exchanged ideas and engaged in discussion and debate. At Augustana, that place is Agora: Augustana Public Speaking Club.
For Agora, community means feeling accepted, whether you need someone to confide in or a place to show different sides of yourself.
Looking to find your voice? In partnership with the Sustainability Club, Agora is hosting The Great Debate, bringing together students passionate about the environment, public discourse and community. Follow @augagoraspeaking on Instagram for details.
“It’s important to have fun.”
— Tabletop Games Club
Have you ever wanted to try a new game but had no one to play it with? For the current president of the Tabletop Games Club, that was exactly the problem.
They’d always wanted to try tabletop games but struggled to find people to play with. After stumbling upon a club event, they decided to give it a try — and fell in love with tabletop games.
For the club, community is about having a place where students can take a break from school and interact with others in a way that’s different from playing video games.
If you’re looking for a way to unwind and meet new people, the club hosts game nights every two weeks with a wide variety of board games. To find out more or join a game night, follow @aug_tabletop_games on Instagram.
“Create the community you want to see.”
— The STAG: Augustana Student Journal
If you’ve spent any time in Camrose, you’ve probably noticed that you can’t really walk anywhere without seeing a deer. So, I think it’s fitting that The STAG, the Augustana student journal, takes its name from the deer population that makes Camrose so unique and, in turn, gives Augustana a voice of its own.
But what does it mean to give Augustana a voice? For the founders, it means making sure the work happening on campus gets the recognition it deserves. “There isn’t always much of a spotlight on Augustana,” says one founder. Through the journal, they connect students beyond their academic bubbles and showcase work ranging from research to artwork and poetry.
While the journal is still in development, the team is planning an arts gala at the end of November to showcase student artwork and celebrate creativity across campus. Follow @thestag_uofa on Instagram for updates.
“Challenge yourself to do more.”
— Augustana Sustainability Club
Sustainability can feel like a big responsibility, especially when it seems like one person can only do so much. But what if you didn’t have to do it alone?
For the Augustana Sustainability Club, community is at the heart of environmental action. The club gives students opportunities to make an impact on campus, support sustainable businesses in Camrose and collaborate with others who care about the environment. It also challenges students to try things they might not attempt during their degree.
A good way to get involved is to attend the Sustainability Speaker Series, which explores the connections between sustainability, justice and protecting vulnerable communities. Email augustanasustainabilityclub@gmail.com to learn more.
Whether it’s through a new experience, a shared interest or a cause you care about, there are different ways to find your place at Augustana.
You don’t have to join every club or know exactly what you’re looking for. Sometimes, finding your people starts with showing up, trying new things and taking a chance on yourself.