Community/Club Expo to be held this afternoon

Lehigh University will host the 10th Annual Community/Club Expo from 4 to 6 p.m. August 27, on the University Center Lawn.
The event, which traditionally draws more than 1,000 students, faculty and staff members each year, is co-sponsored by the university’s Office of Community and Regional Affairs and the Dean of Students.
The event serves as a “grand welcoming celebration” for new students, as well as a kickoff to the new academic year for returning students, according to Dale Kochard, executive director of Community and Regional Affairs at Lehigh.
At the expo, various clubs and student organizations showcase their products and services in an effort to present an array of the vast opportunities the university and the surrounding community offer students, faculty and staff.
Activities could include dance demonstrations by members of the university’s Swing Club, performances by a cappella groups, or even food giveaways from vendors such as Lehigh Pizza, Goosey Gander or Ahart’s Market.
“We get a really diverse group of clubs represented at this event every year,” says Tara Frank, assistant dean of students. “We have everything from the fairly traditional and popular Student Senate and University Production groups, to the more obscure, like the Graduate Tango Club or the military-based Scabbard and Blade.”
Frank also notes that there is a “huge upperclassmen presence” at the annual event, which is the premiere recruiting tool for the university clubs and organizations.
“It’s not only for first year students,” she says. “There’s something for everyone.”
Kochard adds that the Community Expo provides an opportunity for local not for profit organizations to meet with and solicit volunteers from our student population
“It’s a great way for the Bethlehem community and the Lehigh community to come together and introduce themselves,” he says. “The students can learn all about the different shops, restaurants and activities off campus, as well as the numerous club activities on campus.”
Adds Allison Gulati, associate dean of students at Lehigh: “This is a fantastic event for Lehigh that really brings together the students, the campus clubs and community representatives. It shows all our students the many opportunities that are open to them here on campus, and beyond.”
The event begins at the close of the first full day of classes of the Fall 2007 semester.
--Linda Harbrecht