Enterprising students create their own co-curricular programs
The Special Initiatives Committee reviews funding requests for new events that benefit the Bryant community and enhance campus life.
This summer, 12 Bryant students will spend nine days in Peru volunteering at a women’s shelter. The trip is one of the first that is being funded by the Special Initiatives Committee, a new group created through the Student Involvement Fee that reviews requests for one-time programs that benefit members of the Bryant community and enhance student life. The excursion is being organized by Bryant’s chapter of Amnesty International.
Amnesty started developing ideas for a service trip aboard after one of the group's executive board members, treasurer Katie Gorham ’10 (Perry Hall, MD), spent time last summer in Kenya volunteering at an orphanage. The group began creating plans for the trip when they returned to school in September.
Along with the rewarding feeling that she and her classmates will have when they are in Peru, Gorham says she has learned a lot just planning the trip.
“I think the entire experience has shown me the value of hard work, determination, and persistence in getting good things to happen,” says Gorham. “That is something we can’t truly learn by reading a book or hearing a lecture.”
The committee accepts proposals for non-traditional programs, events, or campuswide initiatives. Students do not have to be associated with a student organization to submit an idea.
“The Special Initiatives Committee is a way for students to get directly involved in the planning of projects and programs they want to see happen at Bryant,” says Luke Bornheimer ’10 (Cambridge, MA), a member of the committee. “Co-curricular programs are what differentiate an average experience from one that is truly memorable and leaves a positive impact on the Bryant community.”
“Our group is all about empowering students,” adds member Sharif Coarts ’10 (Hartford, CT). “Sometimes good ideas are lost because they do not receive the kind of support they need. We are here to provide that support.”
Dancing for a cause
Another program funded by the new group was a recent dance-a-thon organized by the Bryant Velocity Dance club team to raise money for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. More than 220 people participated in the six-hour event that raised $4,000.
“Programs like this enhance student life at Bryant by educating students about a disease that affects millions of people worldwide,” says Kelly O’Connell ’09 (Whitman, MA), co-captain of the Velocity Dance Team.
“This was the first dance-a-thon to be held at Bryant,” adds Eric Boudreau ’10 (Granby, MA), the dance team’s vice president of finance. “It offered a new opportunity for people to help others and provided an alternative activity for a Friday night.”
Lily Simons ’09 (Medford, MA) says she got involved in the new committee to see events like the dance-a-thon come to fruition. “Helping students bring their ideas to life is amazing,” she says.
Learning by doing
Special Initiatives Committee member Ryan Letourneau ’11 (Holden, MA) feels student-run organizations provide a forum for students to complement what they learn in the classroom. “Education is more than just attending class,” he says. “Getting involved is critical to our development as students.”
“It is imperative for students to branch out and discover new ways to apply their talents and develop new skills and experiences that contribute to their University experience,” adds committee member Jason Fortin ’12 (Pomfret, CT).
Co-curricular activities give a true flavor of Bryant because they are driven by the students, says committee member Rachael Karpman ’11 (Hampton, NH).
“It is through our clubs and organizations that during any given week you can learn to salsa, see a comedian, hear a concert, help make the campus ‘green,’ or take a trip to Boston – all for no charge,” she says. “Co-curricular activities help students find and express their passions.”
The Special Initiatives Committee is seeking students to serve on the committee for the 2009-2010 academic year. Applications are available in the Center for Student Involvement on the 3rd floor of the Bryant Center and are due on Monday, April 6.
Special Initiatives Committee
Whitney Blatsos ’09 (Pembroke, NH)
Luke Bornheimer ’10 (Cambridge, MA)
Sharif Coarts ’10 (Hartford, CT)
Joseph Coletta ’11 (Harwich, MA)
Susan Curran, Director, Health Services
Brian Duffy ’10 (Tolland, CT)
Jason Fortin ’12 (Pomfret, CT)
Rich Hurley, Assistant Director, Center for Student Involvement
Rachael Karpman ’11 (Hampton, NH)
Ryan Letourneau ’11 (Holden, MA)
Robert Mammone, Area/Resident Director
Kristen Munger ’11 (Hopkinton, MA)
Lily Simons ’09 (Medford, MA)
Amnesty started developing ideas for a service trip aboard after one of the group's executive board members, treasurer Katie Gorham ’10 (Perry Hall, MD), spent time last summer in Kenya volunteering at an orphanage. The group began creating plans for the trip when they returned to school in September.
Along with the rewarding feeling that she and her classmates will have when they are in Peru, Gorham says she has learned a lot just planning the trip.
“I think the entire experience has shown me the value of hard work, determination, and persistence in getting good things to happen,” says Gorham. “That is something we can’t truly learn by reading a book or hearing a lecture.”
The committee accepts proposals for non-traditional programs, events, or campuswide initiatives. Students do not have to be associated with a student organization to submit an idea.
“The Special Initiatives Committee is a way for students to get directly involved in the planning of projects and programs they want to see happen at Bryant,” says Luke Bornheimer ’10 (Cambridge, MA), a member of the committee. “Co-curricular programs are what differentiate an average experience from one that is truly memorable and leaves a positive impact on the Bryant community.”
“Our group is all about empowering students,” adds member Sharif Coarts ’10 (Hartford, CT). “Sometimes good ideas are lost because they do not receive the kind of support they need. We are here to provide that support.”
Dancing for a cause
Another program funded by the new group was a recent dance-a-thon organized by the Bryant Velocity Dance club team to raise money for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. More than 220 people participated in the six-hour event that raised $4,000.
“Programs like this enhance student life at Bryant by educating students about a disease that affects millions of people worldwide,” says Kelly O’Connell ’09 (Whitman, MA), co-captain of the Velocity Dance Team.
“This was the first dance-a-thon to be held at Bryant,” adds Eric Boudreau ’10 (Granby, MA), the dance team’s vice president of finance. “It offered a new opportunity for people to help others and provided an alternative activity for a Friday night.”
Lily Simons ’09 (Medford, MA) says she got involved in the new committee to see events like the dance-a-thon come to fruition. “Helping students bring their ideas to life is amazing,” she says.
Learning by doing
Special Initiatives Committee member Ryan Letourneau ’11 (Holden, MA) feels student-run organizations provide a forum for students to complement what they learn in the classroom. “Education is more than just attending class,” he says. “Getting involved is critical to our development as students.”
“It is imperative for students to branch out and discover new ways to apply their talents and develop new skills and experiences that contribute to their University experience,” adds committee member Jason Fortin ’12 (Pomfret, CT).
Co-curricular activities give a true flavor of Bryant because they are driven by the students, says committee member Rachael Karpman ’11 (Hampton, NH).
“It is through our clubs and organizations that during any given week you can learn to salsa, see a comedian, hear a concert, help make the campus ‘green,’ or take a trip to Boston – all for no charge,” she says. “Co-curricular activities help students find and express their passions.”
The Special Initiatives Committee is seeking students to serve on the committee for the 2009-2010 academic year. Applications are available in the Center for Student Involvement on the 3rd floor of the Bryant Center and are due on Monday, April 6.
Special Initiatives Committee
Whitney Blatsos ’09 (Pembroke, NH)
Luke Bornheimer ’10 (Cambridge, MA)
Sharif Coarts ’10 (Hartford, CT)
Joseph Coletta ’11 (Harwich, MA)
Susan Curran, Director, Health Services
Brian Duffy ’10 (Tolland, CT)
Jason Fortin ’12 (Pomfret, CT)
Rich Hurley, Assistant Director, Center for Student Involvement
Rachael Karpman ’11 (Hampton, NH)
Ryan Letourneau ’11 (Holden, MA)
Robert Mammone, Area/Resident Director
Kristen Munger ’11 (Hopkinton, MA)
Lily Simons ’09 (Medford, MA)
