Welcome back everyone! I hope your summer was eventful in a good sort of way. This year is already off to a blazing start for me, as I’m sure it is for many of you. I expect you’re all making the best of it and having fun. I’ve had a chance, being a freshman resident assistant, to meet a bunch of new students, and I think you’ll all find that each and every one will fit in very well here.
Coming up this week is one of my favorite events here at RPI, the Activities Fair. On Thursday night, for those of you who don’t know, the Houston Field House will be flooded with activity as all of the clubs on campus showcase their activities to the rest of the school. This is, in my opinion, one of the most important events of the year to attend because you get to see what this wonderful Institute has to offer. Every year I find something new to do that I didn’t know was an option before.
This year—and I know I’ve nearly beaten this to death—the Red Army will be unveiling its existence. I’ve been working with the guys (and girls) in charge, and it is really shaping up to be one of the most promising little clubs I’ve ever seen emerge at RPI. I’ve also been talking to some of the student-athletes on campus and they too seem very excited about it. For those of you that don’t know what I’m talking about, the Red Army is a student group focused on school spirit. Their goal is to be the loudest, rowdiest—in a good way—and most spirited students at RPI events. Athletics will be the primary focus of this group. For $40 (now the official price) you will receive a t-shirt, free admission to the student sections at RPI sporting events—including ice hockey—and things like admission to a few tailgate parties before games and trips to away games. Basically, you pay $40 and get season tickets, a t-shirt, and membership to one of the most fun clubs on campus. I think it’s a pretty good deal.
Regardless of whether you join the Red Army or not, you should definitely check out the Activities Fair. Honestly, you’ll never get anything out of this school if you don’t put something into it. That little bit of effort to join a club is sometimes all it takes to begin a new hobby, passion, or even a career option. Who knows? That member of the Rensselaer Aeronautical Federation could end up as a pilot for a major carrier some day. Or that member of Formula SAE could end up working for General Motors or Ford. Clubs here really are a worthwhile investment of time.
The moral of this story: go to the Activities Fair, it’ll make your life better. Don’t forget it’s on Thursday from 6 pm to 9 pm! Welcome back again, everyone!
