Missed the Involvement Fair? Here Are 8 McKendree Clubs You May Not Know About

By: Taylor Turner '26

The Involvement Fair was just last Wednesday, and many McKendree clubs presented display boards, handed out flyers, and invited in newcomers. Every year, a surprising number of students still say the same thing: “Wait… we have that club?” McKendree has several student-run organizations, special interest groups, and clubs that you may have missed. With the constant juggle of class, work, sports, social life, and trying to survive the semester, it’s easy for these clubs to fall under your radar. If you don’t go actively looking, you might miss out on wonderful opportunities. So, whether you missed the Involvement Fair or just want to know what’s actually out there, here are 8 clubs you may be interested in.

 

Black Student Organization (BSO)

 

McKendree’s Black Student Organization (BSO) is all about celebrating Black culture and community. They throw fun events that focus on bringing community and friends together—from their annual bonfire in the quad for s'mores, hot dogs, and dancing, to Donuts & Inspiration for Black History Month, and even hosting a fashion show of students wearing clothing from the iconic eras of the 1990s and 2000s. BSO stands for unity, pride, and cultural awareness on campus, making everyone feel welcome. Their faculty adviser is Larry Davis, with Ra’niyah Chance as President, and A’niye Hyde as Vice President. They often post about upcoming events at @mckendree_bso on Instagram. It’s a super-friendly group, so swing by their meetings, join the events, and be part of the vibe!

 

Spectrum Alliance

 

Spectrum Alliance is McKendree’s LGBTQIA+ student club, dedicated to equality and education. They set up info tables at diversity events, such as last year’s Hallo-Wellness event, with their booth explaining gender identity, queer sexuality, and expression. Spectrum Alliance hosts mixers, awareness events, and movie nights for queer students and allies. They encourage an inclusive “friends-and-pride” atmosphere with all allies welcome. They are currently looking for a secretary, a position that includes taking notes, aiding in the coordination of events, and arranging meetings. Their faculty adviser is Dr. Darryn Diuguid, who is known for traveling and leading workshops on LGBTQ+ support, with Roxanne McWhorter as President, and Brenden Meyer as Vice President. You can email spectrumofficers@mckendree.edu or follow them on Instagram @mckspectrumallies if you’re interested in joining. Pop in at a meeting to meet great people, learn something new, and help make McKendree more inclusive for everyone.

 

 

McKendree Young Group

 

McKendree Young Feminist Group is a student-run organization that brings together students who are passionate about gender equality and women’s rights. They have an active “Period Project” that has been running since 2024, where they provide free menstrual supplies and necessities for the women on campus, placing their baskets in each women’s bathroom. This club’s all about empowerment and education, whether it’s organizing awareness weeks or partnering with community groups, focusing on gender justice, equity, and activism with heart and care. Their faculty advisers are Dr. Brenda Boudreau and Dr. Shelly Lemons. Check out their Instagram @mckyoungfeminists for meeting announcements. Even if you’re just curious or an ally, stop in, because they’ll welcome you with open arms.

 

MCK Media

 

MCK Media is the student-run media hub on campus, including podcasts, radio, photography, and journalism. Many communication students team up to create content, where students who want to write, record, edit, and publish content—ranging from campus highlights to multimedia stories that reflect student life. Members get hands-on experience with writing articles, shooting photos, and making media that is shared with by the McKendree community. McKendree already has a proud tradition of student media—the official McKendree Review newspaper and the McK Radio podcast. It’s fun, a bit chaotic, and a perfect fit if you’re all about telling the stories. Their faculty adviser is Dr. Rich Murphy. If you’re interested in joining, email remurphy@mckendree.edu or stop by their recording room in Carnegie Hall. Check them out on Soundcloud and Spotify or Instagram @mck.radio for their podcasts. It’s a creative, low-commitment, laid-back way to make campus news and meet fellow media lovers.

 

Literary Interest Society (LIS)

 

LIS is basically the book-lover’s club at McKendree. The club chooses contemporary novels together based on members’ interests and meets every other week to talk through the plot, what works, what absolutely doesn’t, and which characters people love or love to hate. It’s relaxed, opinion-friendly, and perfect if you enjoy thoughtful conversations related to literature without academic pressure. One of their most beloved traditions is the annual trip to Chicago, where members get dressed up to watch Shakespeare plays and then reward themselves with legendary Chicago-style pizza at Gino’s East. Their faculty adviser is Dr. Nicole Dewall, and I, Taylor Turner, am President this year. If you are a fellow bookworm, you can contact taylor.turner22@mckendree.edu or nbdewall@mckendree.edu. No English major required; students from all majors are welcome.

 

Bearcat Gaming

 

Bearcat Gaming is the chill gaming club on campus. Whether you’re into video games or tabletop games, this is your crew. The club provides a campus hangout for playing a variety of games, including Dungeons and Dragons, board games, and video games. Typically, the group meets for console nights or board game sessions, and uses their own Discord server. It’s a friendly, no-pressure way to meet new people and game together. Their faculty advisor is Clayton Harris, with Catherine Houck as President and Jade Riggs as Vice President. Check out Bearcat Gaming @mck_bearcatgaming on Instagram, fill out their form, or contact cfharris@mckendree.edu, and dive into the gaming community!

 

Green Team

 

Green Team is a student-run club that proves you don’t need a green thumb—or to be an environmental science major—to care about the planet. They are dedicated to doing the work: planting plants, picking up trash, promoting recycling, and tackling sustainability from every angle. Through hands-on service projects and creative “green” efforts, Green Team works to raise awareness and empower people with the knowledge and opportunities to make a real, positive difference in the world around them. Their faculty advisors are Calvin Wertman and Robyn Swink, with Madison Bonner and Isabella Brand as Co-Presidents. You can follow them on Instagram @mck_greenteam or contact madison.bonner22@mckendree.edu or isabella.brand22@mckendree.edu. If you care about the planet and want to meet other eco-conscious Bearcats, this club will turn your passion into action!

 

McKendree Improv

 

McKendree Improv is the campus improv comedy troupe. They meet regularly to practice improvisational theater – think making up sketches and games on the spot. It’s all about creativity, teamwork, and lots of laughs, so no prior acting experience is needed. McKendree Improv is perfect for anyone who’s curious about acting but doesn’t love the idea of memorizing lines or committing to full theater productions. The club was built to be laid-back, beginner-friendly, and focused just as much on confidence and communication as it is on performance. Practices are structured around fun games like “Questions Only,” “Park Bench,” and “Freeze Tag.” They have weekly practices every Friday at 6:00PM in Eisenmayer. The club was founded by current President Dow White in 2024. Their faculty advisor is Michelle Magnussen. Whether you want to perform, watch, or just try something new, you can contact dow.white22@mckendree.edu, mlmagnussen@mckendree.edu, or follow the improv crew on Instagram @mckimprov.

 

 Get Involved on Campus

 

The easiest way to meet all these awesome clubs is at McKendree’s Involvement Fair. Held every semester at the Hett, this fair brings dozens of student organizations together under one roof. Swing by and you’ll see lots of new and familiar faces, with club members ready to chat.  They’ll tell you what they do, answer questions, and get you signed up if you’re interested. It’s fun and totally pressure-free—plus there are usually free snacks, goodie bags, and candy. Even beyond the fair, be on the lookout for club meetings or social events posted on campus bulletin boards or Instagram.

 

There are a lot more clubs McKendree offers as well. If you’d like, here is a list of many more clubs to join, including fraternities and honor societies, student organizations, special interest groups, and more! Jumping into a club is a great way to make friends, get involved, try new things, and make McKendree feel like home.

 

So, say “yes” to the next meeting—your future club is waiting!