The Student Affiliates of the American Chemical Society Chapter at Washington College are strongly committed to the celebration and promotion of chemistry education on campus and in the community through various events including lectures, fieldtrips and the celebration of National Chemistry Week. They also take part in an annual "Chemistry Magic Show" at local elementary and middle schools. Other outreach activities include food and toiletry drives each fall. The Student Affiliates are also striving to become a "Green" chapter, focusing on ways to make chemical products and processes safer for human beings and the environment. The club is not strictly for students who major or minor in Chemistry, but is open for anyone who is interested in learning more about the field.
Amnesty International is an on-campus organization focusing on human rights issues.
The Anthropology Club is for students interested in anthropology and human cultures. It provides students with the opportunity to observe cultural activities and a forum for discussing these observations.
Apeiron is the official student journal of philosophy and religion at WC. Published annually in the spring, the journal receives its title from the Greek philosophical term meaning "without boundaries" or "not determined by limits." Apeiron is organized and edited by members of the Philosophy Club. All students are encouraged to submit essays, poems, cartoons, drawings, and other media for consideration. Inquires should go to Misty Christensen, Editor, or Dr. Peter Weigel, Advisor.
The Art History Club arranges special events coordinated with the Art department at Washington College.
Best Buddies is a non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the lives of people with mental retardation by providing opportunities for one-on-one friendships and integrated employment. Best Buddies is an international organization. Washington College is proud to be involved with Best Buddies, helping to create friendships that would not have otherwise existed. College students are paired with individuals from the Kent Center. The members participate in monthly group activities, including pizza parties, bowling outings, picnics, game day, and other various one-on-one activities.
The Black Student Union, formerly known as the Dale Adams Heritage exchange, is a multi-cultural organization whose purpose is to unite the Washington College community and to offer a better understanding of African heritage. The club sponsors lectures, movies, social activities, cultural displays, and events such as a Black History Month celebrations. The organization's objective is to promote cultural awareness throughout the WC campus, Chestertown and beyond. They are dedicated to the advancement of minorities and the human race as a whole, as well as encouraging better relations among the various ethnic groups at Washington College.
Catholic Campus Ministry is a Catholic organization offering social and religious activities for the Washington College community. The group meets on the first Thursday of each month for dinner in the Dining Hall followed by a fellowship and faith-sharing meeting led by Fr. Paul Campbell, pastor of Sacred Heart Church (located on the corner of High and Kent Streets). The group also plans trips, retreats, and service events and works with other Christian groups on campus to plan joint events, Christmas Caroling and a Super Bowl party being the two most popular. Students are also invited to take part in ministries at Sacred Heart Church or to contact Fr. Paul at any time. For more information, contact Gillian Bourassa (gbourassa2@washcoll.edu), Gene Sheehan (gsheehan2@washcoll.edu), Fr. Paul Campbell (shorepriest@verizon.net), or visit http://www.sacredparish.org. CCM attends the 11:30 Mass at Sacred Heart Church each Sunday; Masses are also celebrated at 5pm on Saturday and 9:15am on Sunday.
The Campus Christian Fellowship (CCF) meets every Wednesday night for prayer, song, fellowship, and Bible study in the Casey Academic Center Commons Room at 9 p.m. This all-denominational, evangelical group provides structure and opportunity for spiritual exploration and growth. This group organizes periodic field trips to retreats and concerts. All are encouraged to attend. For more information on Campus Christian Fellowship please contact Dr. Jim Siemen at extension 7283, or e-mail jsiemen2@washcoll.edu.
Canterbury Fellowship is a function of the Episcopal (Anglican) campus ministry that provides opportunities for fellowship and service emerging from the central issues of life and faith, especially as experienced in higher educational settings. All members of the Washington College community—students, faculty, administrators, staff and alumni/ae—of all faiths are invited to participate. For more information please contact Ed Maxcy at emaxcy2@washcoll.edu or David Robinson at 410-639-2625 or cellular 443-480-0266.
The Center for the Study of Black Culture's (CSBC) primary goals is to advocate and support the educational, social, and cultural endeavors of Washington College's minority collegians, faculty, administration, staff, and community members. We provide the Washington College community with cultural, educational, and social events that are unique and illuminate the particular experiences of African-Americans. We accomplish this by furnishing an assortment of educational programs and cultural events, which serve as catalysts for intellectual, social, and spiritual development in and around Washington College.
The purpose of the Chess Club is to provide students with the opportunity to engage in recreational chess-playing and benefit from the social and intellectual aspects of chess. The club will help students develop strategies, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills while being able to provide a rich social atmosphere. This will provide a fun way to help students assess the impact of chess-playing on academic performance.
Cleopatra's Daughters is a support group for women, focusing on issues facing minority women in particular. It is directed towards, but not limited to minority women in the Washington College community. To the sisters of Cleopatra's Daughters, this distinctive organization has represented the survival and unity of women of color on the Washington College campus. Originally founded by ten women in 1992, we now have forty members, whose ethnicity represents the entire globe. We have members from Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, the Middle East and Samoa. We strive to educate others and ourselves about the contributions of women of color both nationally and internationally.
This organization stands on seven principles: sisterhood, respect, unity, peace, patience, pride and love. Cleopatra's Daughters is very active on and off campus. The organization meets biweekly to discuss issues relating to women and life in general. We also plan scholarly and festive outings to places such as museums, restaurants and other institutions for lectures. Some of the organization's service activities include: the Aids Walk and Multiple Sclerosis walk, Adopt-a-Family and a day out with young women of Kent County High School. Cleopatra's Daughters members are proud of building bridges to increase campus unity. They have teamed with the Black Students Union, Diversity Planning Task Force, Gender Studies and other campus entities to host activities for perspective students and to co-sponsor outstanding speakers.
The WC Coalition for Peace and Social Justice is a group interested in a serious study of the struggle for peace and social justice at the personal, local, national, and international level. From peace vigils to raising awareness of racial problems, from attendance at a national conference on the Middle East to the current Campus Living Wage Campaign, the group has been active in encouraging non-violent social change. Not affiliated with any national group, PSJ has worked with other campus groups as well as with the community to promote ideas of justice and equality. The Coalition is currently headed by Mali Royer and David Hosey.
The College Democrats organize a number of political activities on campus and in the community in addition to hosting various speakers, lectures, and debates.
The College Republicans are affiliated with the Maryland Federation of College Republicans and the College Republican National Committee. In the past year the club has participated with the Bush for President Campaign, given opportunities to travel to the Republican national Convention and the Inaugural, and given members opportunities to gain experience in campaign work.
The Collegian is a bi-monthly student features magazine. The Collegian is printed (and posted online) by and for students, at the Chesapeake Publishing House in Elkton, MD.
The purpose of the Washington College Computing Club is for educational and scientific purposes to promote the following on campus: a Club Web page which will be a show place for technology, community education, classes in HTML and JAVA, a student voice for computing and programming in the Microsoft Challenge. Furthermore, the club sponsors a programming team that competes in regional competitions.
The Dance Club is open to all students interested in dance as art, exercise, recreation, or performance. The Club serves to encourage the growth of dance by giving students the opportunity to study various forms of dance, attend performances by professional companies, take workshops and master classes, and provides opportunities for education through student performances and creating an outlet for creative expression. Activities from last year included the Dance-on-Film series, attending the 33rd State Dance Festival, performing at the Music Department's Annual Renaissance Dinner, and presenting a spring dance concert. Weekly technique classes were taught in ballet, tap, jazz, modern, lyrical, hip hop, ballroom, and Nepali dance. To join the dance club list serve, click here.
The Education Club is composed mostly of Education students although not limited to them. Throughout the year we do many different activities including Kid's Nights, an event we organize allowing the community to drop off their children with us for three hours for games, crafts, snacks, and usually a movie. Other activities include conferences, beach weekends, and the Chestertown parade.
The Elm is the weekly student newspaper on campus.
The Encouraging Respect of Sexuality (EROS) Alliance is a group of students and faculty committed to breaking down the silence surrounding issues of sexuality and gender through the open exchange of ideas in a comfortable, informal, and non-threatening setting. EROS is dedicated to giving all students a sense of belonging and community at Washington College. We are working to create an environment where students are accepted for who they are without prejudice, judgment, or intolerance.
The Equestrian Club at Washington College is open to all students, regardless of riding ability or experience. Students may choose to be a part of the club, which holds regular meetings, organizes trail rides and participates in horse oriented activities. Students may also join the Equestrian Team, which is the competitive branch of the club. The Washington College Equestrian Team is a member of the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association.
The Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) is a student-led, "interdenominational" athletic ministry that serves athletes, coaches and all whom they influence. The group meets twice a month and everyone is welcome! The FCA's goals include a commitment of spiritual fellowship, spiritual outreach, and spiritual growth. Each year special trips are sponsored to concerts, retreats, and professional ball games. Past activities included a bonfire at the bay, a guest speaker who was a pro cyclist and the group participated in a joint huddle with Salisbury University's FCA. For more information on Fellowship of Christian Athletes, please contact Alan Gilchrest at agilchrest2@washcoll.edu.
FORCE (Furthering Outreach in the Community and Environment) is a service organization that works on projects that promote environmental awareness and appreciation in the community. Past PORCE projects have included trail repairs, stream clean-ups, tree and marsh grass plantings, a bat-box project, and beach clean-ups. Each project concludes with an activity such as canoeing, hiking, or bird watching that encourages volunteers to enjoy the community area they have helped, and to obtain an understanding and appreciation for the environment around them.
The French Club sponsors activities open to the campus and community that promote Francophone culture. We want to share the Francophone influence with the Washington College community. We welcome any students to join our group, even those that do not study French.
Since 1988, this group of alumni, faculty, staff, parents, and community members have worked to fund and promote visual and performing arts activities at Washington College.
The German Club is composed of students who share an interest in German culture and language. The club gives the students an opportunity to practice their German skills as well as to debate on current issues in Germany. The club has periodic lunches together in the dining hall, has gone on organized dinners to German restaurants in Rock Hall and Annapolis, has gone to see the Hansel & Gretel Opera in Baltimore and took a day trip to the National Gallery to see an exhibit on German expressionism.
The Gospel Choir is a vibrant and exciting group of people who love to sing and minister through traditional and contemporary gospel songs. Under the direction of Reverend Eric Scott, the choir delights in providing numerous concerts on campus and in the community. The choir meets twice a week for rehearsal, prayer, praise and all-denominational fellowship. There are no auditions for WC Gospel Choir and membership is open to everyone (students, faculty, staff and community members). For more information please contact President Alycia Moses, at amoses2@washcoll.edu or gospel_choir@washcoll.edu. To see more information on the club, events, etc. please check out our list page. We welcome you to join our listserv.
Habitat for Humanity joins together in the local area to build homes for the underprivileged.
Hands Out is a service organization that seeks to help the less fortunate people of Kent County through activities such as food drives, clothing drives, and special holiday projects. All of the food and clothing collected goes directly to pantries and churches here in Chestertown, connecting the students and their efforts to the community around them. Students also participate in off-campus activities such as walkathons, which raise money for causes such as homelessness and AIDS research. The primary goal is to foster relationships between the students of Washington College and the Kent County community through service and learning. Other activities have included adopting a family for Christmas and purchasing presents for them, and participating in Hunger and Homeless week by getting involved in events in Washington DC.
Hillel is an organization for Jewish awareness that offers social, cultural and religious activities for the College community. The club provides an opportunity for any student to learn more about the Jewish religion, its practices and traditions.
The Ice Hockey Club is open to all students. The team is a member of the American College Hockey Association and is in the Mason-Dixon Hockey League. The team practices and plays home games at the The Pond Ice Arena in Newark, Delaware. The season runs from early October until February with games scheduled against Johns Hopkins, Mt. St. Mary's, Catholic University, Dickinson, Salisbury, Gettysburg, Loyola, George Washington University, and American University. Contact CJ Rutkowski for more information.
The International Relations Club (IRC) is one of the largest clubs on campus, with over 150 members. IRC is open to anyone interested in international culture and languages. IRC sponsors various events, lectures, and trips to promote international awareness to its members and around campus. During the 2001 fall semester, IRC organized trips to Washington DC for museums/galleries, "International Awareness Week," "IRC Jeopardy," an Inner Harbor Day in Baltimore, a Halloween Party, and a beach trip to Delaware. In the spring the IRC hosts its annual "Culture Night" a combination of foreign foods, talents and costumes from all around the world. Other events include a ski trip, another trip to DC for museums, a Moroccan restaurant trip to Philadelphia and other various lectures and meetings.
The International Studies Council at Washington College is dedicated to providing information on international issues to the student, faculty, staff and Chestertown communities at large, as well as developing a forum for such issues to be discussed through various events on and off campus, which include trips to New York, Washington D.C., various Model Simulations, as well as Movie Nights, Dinners and Discussions with Guest Speakers, and Open Forums for the discussion of international issues.
The Washington College Japanese Club was founded in the Fall semester of 1996. It is dedicated to the appreciation, exploration, and promotion of the Japanese Culture, in all its forms, traditional and modern.
Maryland Student Legislature is committed to involving students in the political process and bringing student issues to the forefront of American politics.
The Medium is a student publication that features essays, reviews, poetry, and art.
The Men's Lacrosse Club is a member of the National College Lacrosse league, participating in the Chesapeake Division, which includes: Johns Hopkins, UMBC, Navy, Salisbury, U of Delaware, and Loyola.
The Men's Rugby Team practices all year long at Worton Park, competes in intercollegiate games, and is a member of the Potomac Rugby Union. The season ends with an annual President's Cup tournament hosted by the College in early May.
The Musicians' Union is composed of a group of student musicians who enhance campus social life through the avenue of the arts. At least two Thursdays a month, the union sponsors Java Drop-Ins or coffeehouses that offer student musicians to play in front of a campus audience. It is open to anyone who wishes to participate and share his or her creativity. Previously, the Musicians' Union participated in a hunger benefit, which they recorded and hope to release on CD as a fundraiser for charity. The most popular union event is the annual tribute show in which the union pays homage to a great and storied band. Past tributes include U2, Pearl Jam, The Beatles, and Pink Floyd. The Musicians' Union continues to heighten creativity and helps focus the liberal arts experience on originality, dedication and social cohesion.
The Pegasus is the annual Washington College student yearbook. For more information, contact pegasus_editor@washcoll.edu.
The Pep Squad cheers at Shoremen and Shorewomen basketball games. They are dedicated to promoting school spirit and supporting the athletes.
The Philosophy Club is a group of students meeting informally to plan events and discussions involving philosophical themes. Regular events include guest speakers, panel discussions, outings or field trips, and film viewings. Membership is open to all students. Events are open to all members of the WC community and normally to the public. Misty Christensen (mchristensen2@washcoll.edu) serves as the current Club President and Dr. Peter Weigel (pweigel2@washcoll.edu) is the regular Faculty Advisor. The Club is also the umbrella organization for the local chapter of Phi Sigma Tau, the National Honor Society in Philosophy.
The Psychology Club is a group of students who come together to discuss topics in the field of psychology. The club volunteers at the Upper Shore Community Mental Health Center, has movie nights with discussions to follow, posts facts and upcoming faculty events on the club's website, and sponsors guest speakers who give discussions about current research and events in the field. Last semester the club teamed up with two other campus organizations to sponsor a Depression Screening. The club is not strictly for students majoring or minoring in Psychology, but it is open for anyone who is interested in learning more about the field.
The goal of the Riverside Players is to create and foster an environment in which the college and community can celebrate a mutual love of theater. The Riverside Players sponsors The Royal Fakespeare Players, a parody Shakespearean acting troupe. In the past, Fakespeare has performed comedic interpretations on such plays as Macbeth, Hamlet, A Midsummer Night's Dream, and The Two Gentlemen of Verona among others in a variety of venues including monologues, scenes, and one acts. Last semester, Fakespeare performed The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) in Norman James Theater, as well as performed a collection of scenes from The Taming of the Shrew for a 12th grade Literature Class at Bohemia Manor Middle School.
The running club is an organization where students can come together to run, and compete in a variety of races. We are planning on fundraising and doing charity runs.
The Spanish Club promotes the culture and language of both Spain and Latin America. The club currently has over 5 native speakers representing 4 different countries as well as numerous American students. At least twice per semester the club offers Latin dance lessons for the members. There is a small but expanding library of books and DVDs that are available for members to borrow or watch during movie nights. The club sponsors one or two dinners per semester where members are able to enjoy food from different Spanish speaking countries. The club also sponsors trips into Washington DC, Baltimore, or Annapolis for dinners and plays performed in Spanish.
The Student Events Board creates and sponsors many events and activities, including all types of entertainment: caricaturists, hypnotists, bands, comedians, and trips.
The goal of the SAM program is to create a safer and more positive environment that reduces social hazards for student athletes. SAMs are student-athletes elected by their teammates. Team members are encouraged to choose a SAM who can be helpful in a wide variety of situations and exemplifies characteristics such as confidentiality, open-mindedness, and resourcefulness.
The Student Environmental Alliance (SEA) is the college's main environmental and outdoor organization, serving as the central hub of environmental activity on campus. Members work with the Student Government Association's Green Campus Committee to promote environmentally and socially responsible campus policies. This SGA initiative dovetails with SEA's goal of raising campus awareness of the environment and cooperating with other environmental departments/centers and organizations on campus. A significant part of SEA's activities include service projects (in cooperation with FORCE) and outdoor activities such as hiking and mountain climbing.
The Student Government Association consists of all members of the student body. There are three branches of the SGA. The Legislative arm is the Student Senate, comprised of the elected board of executive officers as well as an elected group of student representatives known as senators, who help to establish College regulations, standards of conduct, social events, community support, and extracurricular activities. The Student Academic Board considers all matters concerning curriculum, faculty, and teaching. The Honor Board deals with all aspects of student misconduct, including both academic and social misconduct.
Members of this club are intersted in social issues such as poverty and hunger. Throughout the year, they sponsor events such as a Canned Food Drive, and Mittens for a Movie.
Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) is the world's preeminent collegiate free enterprise organization. SIFE provides leadership training, regional competitions and career opportunity fairs for thousands of college students throughout 33 countries, and awards more than $400,000 in prize money to college student teams each year.
Founded by students in 1991, Target Tutoring is an ongoing volunteer service that provides academic assistance and mentoring to local area school children, specifically targeting those individuals identified as "at-risk" of not completing their education. College tutors meet with students from Chestertown Middle School twice a week after school to work on homework, improve study habits and organizational skills, and play academic games. The program is an excellent opportunity for those interested in education to gain experience while helping a child improve academic performance and self-esteem. Tutors come from all academic disciplines, yet all share a common interest in public service and helping children.
Terra Firma is an environmental organization whose goal is to preserve and create a strong earth. Current interests include the Chesapeake Bay, letter writing for national environmental campaigns, outdoor recreation, and involvement in the national student organization SEAC (Student Environmental Action Coalition). Activities have included a trip to the National Aquarium, a Save Our Streams workshop, and skipjack sailing on the Chesapeake.
The W.E.B. DuBois Society is a student organization formed to promote the social, academic, and professional advancement of African American men in the Washington College community and beyond.
The wakeboard/waterski club is looking for enthusiastic skiers. The club is open to students and faculty. We ski right here on the Chester River. The club welcomes new skiers to the sport and encourages folks to come and learn from our pros with over 17 years of combined experience with a "get up guarantee" how could anyone resist? For those with more experience, there is a competitive side to collegiate skiing. Washington College Ski Team competes locally against schools like Virginia Tech, Penn State, William and Mary, and Salisbury. So dig out your suit and hope for warm water and sun!
The Washington College Review is a literary review, which presents original writing from students.
The Washington College Interactive Gaming Society (WIGS) was created to facilitate those students who wish to broaden their horizons by using their imagination and creativity to solve complex enigmas that further develop not only their minds, but their awareness of all things and their significance.
The William James Forum presents programs and speakers on myriad topics. Lectures are open to the public and free of charge.
The Women's Rugby Team competes in intercollegiate games and practices at Worton Park.
The Writers' Union promotes camaraderie among writers at Washington College and organizes activities that promote the literary arts on campus. Our aim is to provide a forum for writers, readers, and students who appreciate the written and spoken word. We accomplish this through a variety of readings, sponsorship of literary magazines, and writing-themed social events. By providing members with the opportunity to share their writing in a safe environment, our members support each other with the positive critical feedback that is the essential part of the writing life. As usual, the Rose O'Neill Literary House is in full swing, with visiting poets and fiction writers, the Graveyard Reading, the (adults only) Children's Reading, the Really Bad Poetry Reading, Flash Fiction, and 24-hour Plays.
The Writers' Theatre is unique among the various theatre groups at Washington College because everything this group performs is original. The group emphasizes the connection between writing and theatre and it tries to give the members an opportunity both to write and perform. Last semester the group put on a show called "Must See WT," which was a series of scenes written by members, which centered on television shows. This spring, the group plans to do two shows, the first of which will be a collection of monologues and short scenes and the second may be a "Clue-esque" mystery show performed in the Literary House. In addition to shows, the group organizes workshops and seminars on acting, technical work, and writing. No experience necessary.
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