Concordia’s Student Life Office serves students, hosts community-building events

The bulldog statue in the Walz Human Performance Complex.

Photo credit: Nora Betts

By Josiah Horvath

This story is featured in the September print edition of the Sower newspaper. 

The Student Life Office is here to serve and help students and is focused on good communications with students, said Director of Student Life Rebekah Freed.

“Satan comes to steal, kill, and destroy but Jesus says that He comes to bring abundant life,” she said, quoting John 10:10. She added that the Student Life Office is joining Jesus on this mission.

SLO serves and helps in various ways. Students may find answers to their questions or be directed to the right services. It organizes events including through the Student Activities Council and the resident assistants.

“One area we know we want to focus on,” said Freed, “is finding better ways to communicate what is already happening on campus and how students can get involved.”

There is an event planned by resident assistants for every Saturday night. There was a Mocktails and Charcuterie Night and a Trivia Night in September. Past events have included a Mario Kart Tournament, Pool Tournament and Board Game Night.

“We try to hang posters for each event, so if students are interested in attending, I suggest taking a peek at the bulletin boards across campus,” said Morgan Grindey, SLO assistant director. “They’re generally posted a week and a half before they happen.”

SLO also sends an email every week with a calendar – “This Week at Concordia”– detailing the various events around campus.

“We try to do one big event and a couple smaller events each month,” said Grindey.

An upcoming event is Pink Week, which is meant to raise awareness for breast cancer. There will be an activity in Janzow Top for this. Grindey said it might be decorating cookies. There will also be a volleyball game and Pink Out shirts that can be purchased and then worn during the volleyball game.

She said there will be a “Morning of Wellness” event on Oct. 17 with several fall-themed activities that students may attend to promote general wellness.

The Student Activities Council also puts together various events. They were responsible for the Variety Show that took place during Homecoming week.

“A goal of ours is to have a more successful Spring Weekend,” said SAC Chairman Matthew Koenig. “Last year was the first year we’ve done it in a couple of years.”

Spring Weekend generally includes activities and games throughout Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Koenig also mentioned a “synchronized swimming dance.”

“If you talk to someone who graduated more than 10 years ago and you say ‘Spring Weekend,’ their eyes will light up with fun memories,” Koenig said.

Koenig said SAC is always looking for more hands to help with these events and anyone interested in making fun things happen can join.

SLO, along with ensuring there are many activities that students can participate in, also works in other ways to serve students.

“A huge focus for us right now is student engagement. While this includes student activities, it is so much more,” said Freed. “Our ideal goal would be that every single student would have a couple connections points on campus or communities to belong to.”

SLO also works with the Student Senate to address student needs. Freed mentioned more water bottle fillers as something that is being explored.

“We made it a priority in the recent Esther renovation and would love to see more of them around campus,” she said.