Eastern University held its annual Club Fair on Sunday, Aug. 30, 2026, bringing together clubs, ministries, and student organizations from across campus. New and returning students had the opportunity to learn about organizations centered on faith, service, culture, academics, athletics, the arts, and other areas of campus life.
Staci-Jo Palek, Associate Director for Student Engagement and Transition Programs, oversees the Club Fair along with other campus events. Palek described the fair as “one of the most important events that we do on campus” because it gives students opportunities to get involved, meet people they relate to, and discover interests they might not have known they had. “We want everyone to feel like they belong,” Palek said. “We do events like this… so you can find one connection.” The fair featured organizations representing a wide range of interests and communities at Eastern.
Faith Ministry
Office of Faith and Practice
The Office of Faith and Practice offers several ways for students to become involved in faith life at Eastern. Mary Kulp, ‘27, who studies Global Studies and Service and Communications, serves as Chair of the Student Chaplain Program. Kulp highlighted Grow Groups led by the Student Chaplain Program and the Chamberlain Interfaith Fellowship.
Grow Groups are open to anyone and meet throughout the week, with groups for women on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays and groups for men on Mondays and Tuesdays. The Chamberlain Interfaith Fellowship allows Eastern students to connect with Jewish students from Temple Beth Sholom in Massachusetts and learn about a different faith tradition. Kulp said the programs work alongside Eastern’s mission by helping create a “diverse Christ-centered community through faith, reason, and justice.”
Precious Movements
Precious Movements is a dance ministry that allows students to worship through movement. Vice President Layla Crawell, ‘28, a nursing major, said the ministry is for anyone who has “a passion or desire to worship the Lord through movement.” The group incorporates mime and dance in their performances. Members consider what may uplift the campus community, select songs around those ideas, and create movement to accompany them.
Crawell described the goal of the ministry as creating “a space for God through movement.”
Unceasing Prayer Ministry
Unceasing Prayer Ministry brings students together for prayer every Tuesday from 4 to 5 in Walton Prayer Chapel to pray in fellowship. Sydni Scott, ‘28, a social work major and co-leader of the ministry, said gathering as a group is an important part of the ministry.
“We believe God is a God who answers the prayers of his people, so coming together and having that unity to pray is a really beautiful thing on campus,” Scott said. Scott also said her involvement in Unceasing Prayer Ministry has helped her grow as a leader and can help others do the same.
Prison Ministry
Prison Ministry allows students to visit Lancaster Youth Detention Center and spend time with the juveniles at the Center. Anna Kronin, ‘29, a psychology major who serves as the co-president and secretary, said members play games, talk with the youth and build relationships with them. The beautiful thing about the experience is that it can change the way students understand other people and the world around them.
“Just being there with them and seeing their lives and getting to know who they are, it changes every aspect of your life and your perspective on how you see the world as it is,” Kronin said.
YACHT Club
YACHT, which stands for Youth Against Complacency and Homelessness Today, focuses on serving people experiencing homelessness. Co-leader Anaya Birch, ‘28, an English and Ministry Leadership major, explained that members travel to Center City Philadelphia every Thursday and every other Saturday “to give meals and have fellowship with those experiencing homelessness.”
Birch promoted that the organization encourages students to recognize what they have and consider how they can give to others, thus, the group encourages students to recognize their privileges and use them as an opportunity to give back to others.
Delight Ministries
Delight Ministries is a women’s ministry that meets weekly for Bible study and fellowship. Jordan Fowler, ‘27, a nursing major and co-leader, said the group typically works through a book centered on a book of the Bible while also providing time for students to talk and spend time together.
Fowler described the ministry as a “time to relax and talk with girls and just know you have people to talk to.”
Wednesday Night Worship
Wednesday Night Worship is a student-led worship group that meets Wednesdays to come together in fellowship and worship God.
President Jose Tapia, ‘28, a Marketing major, serves alongside Vice President Jared Groff, ‘27, a Business Administration major and Secretary Kelsey Needles, ‘28, a Music Education major. Tapia said the meetings give students time to worship, reflect, pray, and meet new people. He expressed that the group allows him to “reflect on my day and reflect on my relationship with Jesus,” and he hopes it provides a similar environment for other students.
Fellowship of Christian Athletes
Fellowship of Christian Athletes, or FCA, provides a faith-centered space for Eastern student-athletes.
President Cypriana “CJ” Summa, ‘28, an English and Communications major, said, “We play games, have a good time in fellowship with other athletes and we talk about Jesus Christ and how it can be incorporated into our sports.” She describes FCA as “a good, safe space for all athletes.” FCA works hard to create a space that can combine a multitude of students’ interests. Faith, fellowship and athletics.
Culture and Community
Black Student Union
Eastern University’s Black Student Union works to create a sense of community for students on Eastern’s campus.
President Daniel Carter, ‘27, a Theater major, said the organization “creates a home away from home for those who align with this club.” BSU meets biweekly on Fridays. Carter explained that the organization also follows a model centered on knowing, connecting and empowering students, otherwise known as KCE, and strives to use this model throughout Eastern’s campus.
African Caribbean Union
The African Caribbean Union, or ACU, celebrates African and Caribbean culture through social and cultural events.
Event coordinators Hope Olateju, ‘28, a Biology major; Jennyna Joseph, ‘28, a Nursing major and Nancy Parjebo, ‘28, a Biology major, said the organization hosts events including karaoke, dancing and dinners. The group focuses on inclusion while giving students opportunities to celebrate African and Caribbean cultures. “I wanted to find more people who were in my culture…so for me ACU was perfect for that” says Olateju.
Latinos Unidos
Latinos Unidos focuses on celebrating Hispanic culture, advocating for social justice and educating the wider campus community.
President Cassandra “Cassie” Mendez, ‘29, a Psychology major, and Vice President Jose Tapia, ‘28, a Marketing major, said the organization uses games, music, food and other events to share Hispanic culture. The group typically holds two to three events each semester. Mendez said there is a need for Eastern’s Latino community “to come together and feel seen and heard” while also giving other students opportunities to learn about the culture.
Refuge Club
Refuge Club works to provide a welcoming and inclusive space for the LGBTQ+ community where students can express themselves freely.
Vice President Ryan Rigsby, ‘27, a Psychology major, said the organization aims to make sure students feel welcome and have a place where they can be themselves without fear of “judgment, criticism or discrimination.” Rigsby said, “Everyone is welcome, whether they are just an ally or part of the community.”
Campus Leadership and Student Organizations
The Waltonian
The Waltonian is Eastern University’s student-run newspaper and publishes both online and in print. Editor-in-Chief Hannah Gerber, ‘27, a Communication Studies major, said the newspaper is looking for media contributors, writers and photographers who are interested in covering news on campus or in nearby places like Philadelphia. “We always want to cover what’s going on at Eastern and in Philly, so let us know what you want to see here, and we would love to have you on staff,” Gerber said.
Gerber said student journalism also gives students a way to ask questions and make their voices heard: “We are asking the questions we want the answers to because we want you to have the answers too.
Student Government Association
Eastern’s Student Government Association, or SGA, oversees campus clubs and serves as a connection between students and university administration. President McKenna Kitchen, ‘28, a Business Administration and Marketing major, described SGA as an “intermediary between students and administration.” The full senate meets every other week, while the executive board meets during the alternate weeks.
“It’s very student-led, and adapts every year to what the students need on campus,” Kitchen said.
Academic Professional Organizations
Student Nurses Association of Pennsylvania
Eastern’s Student Nurses Association of Pennsylvania, or SNAp, brings nursing students from different cohorts together to foster community. Secretary Eleanor “Elle” Folga, ‘27, a nursing major, said the organization works to “help unite the nursing cohorts and just do things together.” Folga described SNAP as a low-stress organization where the students can participate when their schedules allow.
“We all need that sense of community, especially as nursing students when it can get difficult,” Folga said.
ISI Montaigne Society
The ISI Montaigne Society is a Literary and conversation club that discusses texts from the Western tradition. President Tyler Conjura, ‘29, a History and Literature major, said discussions may focus on political, philosophical or religious topics.
“We need to have discussions on what is a good society, what is a good life, in order to be good humans,” Conjura noted when discussing the importance of the club.
Pre-Health and Medical Club
The Pre-Health and Medical Club provides resources and events for students interested in medical and health-related careers. President Oluwadamilola “Damola” Akinboro, ‘27, a biology major, said the organization holds events related to pre-medical fields and gives students information about preparing for those specific career paths.
Rather than holding regular meetings, the club offers study sessions for standardized exams and weekly pop-ups like Medical Mondays. Akinboro said additional information can help students feel more prepared for challenging science courses and future careers. However, students do not have to be pursuing a pre-health field to attend the organization’s events.
Engineering Society
Eastern’s Engineering Society supports students in Eastern’s pre-engineering program with Villanova University. President Vesa Pema, ‘27, and Vice President Christ Rivera, ‘27, both Math and Pre-Engineering majors, said the organization helps younger students understand what to expect when they transition to Villanova. It also helps older students prepare for internships, graduate school and careers.
“Our engineering program is one of the smaller degrees,” Rivera said, explaining that the organization allows students to meet others who have already experienced the same academic path.
Arts and Recreation
Alpha Psi Omega
Alpha Psi Omega is the national theatre society that provides opportunities for students interested in theater to get more involved. Member Catherine Smith, ‘28, a Music and Musical Theatre major and Alexander (Alex) Morales, ‘29, a Musical Theatre major, highlighted events such as the Miscast Cabaret, where students can perform in roles they would not typically be cast in.
Members describe theater as something that brings people together while also offering students a way to become involved without a large commitment.
Art Club
Art Club hosts creative events for students across campus. Co-President Riley Graham, ‘28, a psychology major, said the organization hosts “all sorts of creative things” and remains open to suggestions from students about what art projects they would like to do.
“Humans are naturally meant to create art and be creative, so we try to foster a place where people can do that in a low-pressure environment,” Graham said.
Outdoors Club
Outdoors Club allows students to participate in a variety of outdoor activities. President Gabriella “Gabby” Sutton, ‘29, a biochemistry major, described the club as doing “anything and everything outdoors.” The group meets every Sunday. “With school and all this stress, you need to touch grass, and that is exactly what this club is for,” Sutton said.
Sutton describes the club as a way for students to spend time outside and experience God’s creation.
Swing Club
Swing club allows students to learn East Coast Swing, a partner-based form of dance. President Ethan Muldoon, ‘27, a marketing major and member Elizabeth “Liz” Kennard-Chalmers, ‘29, a biology major, said the group meets to dance the night away on Thursdays.
Swing dance is also one of Eastern’s older student organizations and previously held dances on the Walton Patio.
Eastern Dance Ministry
Eastern Dance Ministry combines dance and worship through performances during chapel. President Emily Megara, ‘28, an Early Childhood Education major, described EDM as a dance club that performs to worship songs.
Megara explained that the ministry “shows people there are different ways to worship God, and one of those ways is through movement.”
Athletics and Wellness
Student Advisory Athlete Committee
The Student Advisory Athlete Committee, or SAAC, represents student-athletes and works to create stronger connections between Eastern’s athletic teams. Co-President Anthony Zamichieli, ‘28, a Middle Level Education major with a focus in mathematics, described SAAC as providing “representation of student-athletes on campus” while promoting unity among athletes.
The organization also hosts events such as Pie an Athlete and Pie a Coach. Zamichieli said athletes often stay within their individual teams, and SAAC creates opportunities for athletes from different teams to interact and learn more about one another.
Student Health Advisory Committee
The Student Health Advisory Committee, or SHAC, works closely with Eastern’s Health and Wellness Center to promote campus-wide health. Vice President Sydney Block, ‘28, an Environmental Science major, and President Heather Van, ‘28, a Biology Pre-Med major, described the group as the “eyes and ears” of students regarding health and wellness on campus.
Students can bring health and wellness concerns or suggestions to the organization while SHAC also works to provide information about developing healthier lifestyles. “One of the major things [in college] is health and wellness,” Block said
Although Eastern’s Club Fair provided students with an introduction to these organizations, students can continue to learn more about getting involved on Eastern’s campus throughout the semester by attending meetings, following clubs on social media, or contacting student leaders. For Palek, the purpose of events like the Club Fair ultimately comes back to helping students find a place within the Eastern community.
“We want everyone to feel like they belong,” Palek said.
