Walking into the sign language club’s initial meeting, the executive committee introduced themselves to everyone in the room in sign language. This club is interesting in the fact that it is not just about community work, but actually learning the language of sign. Anyone can join this club, from students whose major requires the knowledge of sign language (speech pathology & audiology), to anyone who is genuinely interested in the language. Two deaf people and an interpreter attended the meeting which was very interesting because it was the first time the club has had deaf people participate in the club. It was nice to be a part of that change for the group.

The president of the sign language club told us her background of sign, and how she has been affected by this language. She is fluent in sign language, and the executive board is very confident in their skills of sign as well. The first meeting eased us into the language, teaching the alphabet, and a series of expressions. Then, each person was invited to sign their name and have the others guess their name, which was a fun activity to get us comfortable with the beginnings of sign language. Occasionally, the interpreter would step in and show more casual ways of signing the expressions the executive board taught us, which made the meeting more engaging and interesting.

Next, the committee set out delicious cookies and went over dates that are important to the functioning of the club. Once every month, the club goes to the Hamilton Mall to have a coffee chat with deaf people in the community. Coffee chat just means that we talk with these people and learn more about sign language. Another event that the club goes to every year is touring Gallaudet University, which is a private university dedicated to teaching deaf students and teaching about deaf studies. Located in Washington D.C., this university is unique because it is the only all deaf university in the nation. The sign language club’s initial meeting has made me excited for my future as a Speech Pathologist and learning about the language in depth.

As another long lecture was completed during Welcome Week 2015, our building and the rest of the freshmen class of 2015 headed off to the event of all events during welcome week, the Osprey kick-Off. Coming into this event, my friends and I had no idea of what to expect, but we were welcome to a wide array of fun activities waiting for us. This event was like the pep rallies we used to attend in high school, but with much more to do to keep students occupied. The kick-off had blasting music that each student there could dance along to or just sing along. Each activity at the kick-off was designed to keep students involved and doing something, including constant volleyball games and a teddy bear making station. There was also a station where staff made tropical drinks for students to drink, which was delicious!

The first station we went to was bear making, where little bear skins were stuffed with cotton to make a comfy companion. The next station, my personal favorite, was poster buying. Each table had different categories of posters, from comedy to music to famous movies. It was a poster heaven. Needless to say, more than one poster was bought that day from the comedy section. The next portion of the Osprey kick-off was playing volleyball in teams. Fun and friendly, these games gave a chance to meet new students on campus and bond with the class of 2019 Stockton Ospreys. Finally, the last portion of this amazing gathering was the photo booth, where our class could remember all of the fun we had on this day. Just grab a group of friends, go in the machine, pick a border, and take four pictures!

Overall, this day was complete success on several levels. Students were preoccupied with fun activities that applied to them, not just ice breakers. Also, students got to meet fellow classmates and socialize with them before the start of school in a fun, interactive way. Honestly, the Osprey-kick off was my favorite part of welcome week and I wish I could relive the whole event again.

          The Day of Service is just as it sounds in its name: it is a day where the Stockton University joins together to serve our community. This day is sponsored by the Office of Student Development annually to gather students, staff, alumni, and plenty of more people from the community to help out and give back. Walking into the Day of Service with an open mind, not knowing anyone, I was pleasantly surprised on how the day turned out. Each person was divided into different groups according to color (Go Green Team!) and each team throughout the day was assigned to a certain lecture to listen to or activity to complete. There were four service projects through the day, and each taught of something different then the other. My personal favorite was hearing Circle-K talk about what they do for our Stockton Community and then, making cards for cancer patients in the local hospital to brighten their days.

          After a long day of serving the community, we were able as groups to reflect on what we experienced throughout the day and how it affected us. Many of my fellow group members and myself explained to each other how well we thought the day was put together and how it affected us on personal levels. The Day of Service taught me that giving back to the community should not just be one day of service, it should be weekly, monthly, or even annually. Before coming to Stockton University, volunteering was always something I was passionate about. Now after the Day of Service, students including myself are aware of the many different clubs and events here on campus that one can volunteer at. Helping others in anyway possible is good for not only the person being helped, but the helper as well. Volunteering is emotionally rewarding, and the Day of Service proved this.

Graciously, at the end of a very long day of serving, we were given t-shirts commemorating the day our whole Stockton Community had just completed. I am already filled with excitement for next years Day of Service, and hope to become involved in some of the organizations that attended this day.