Mandi Mooney
Reporter
Tuesday’s Rush Day included the newly chartered Milligan College chapter of Habitat for Humanity International as well as a French club, Spanish club, chess club, photography club, and Girl Scout troop.
According to the Milligan Habitat for Humanity Chapter Kurt Davis, receiving the charter “will give the organization more accountability to stick to its goals and remember its roots as an active volunteer organization.”
Just over 100 students signed up to be a part of the group at Rush Day. According to Director of Student Life Danielle Booth, it was the largest sign-up of the event.
Milligan’s chapter of Habitat was formed in April 2002 after Bert Allen, Mark Matson, and Tim Dillon expressed an interest in having this type of student-led organization. Last year was the group’s first year and it involved more than 70 students.
Since last year, Habitat has volunteered at numerous places around the Tri-Cities area, including the Appalachian Christian Camp in Unicoi, TN. Participants helped build a firewood shelter and are currently in the process of building a cabin at the camp.
Habitat has also helped with projects on campus such as the new Crossroads office.
“Our goal is to get involved in the community around Milligan on an every weekend basis, and to help raise awareness of poverty housing in the world,” Davis said.
Davis said they hope to continue working at the camp as well as help the photography department build an additional darkroom.
Five new organizations were also introduced to the Milligan student body at Rush Day. Brand new was a chess club started by Assistant Professor of Business Administration Charles Horvath.
Both French and Spanish clubs are being restarted this year because of interest expressed by students to Associate Professor of French and Spanish Carolyn Woolard. Each of these groups hopes to travel to different restaurants and businesses around the Tri-Cities area.
Junior Eveleigh Hatfield started a Girl Scout troop.
“I have been in Girl Scouts for 13 years and have wanted to start one here at school ever since I got here,” Hatfield said.
The troop will be working with the Milligan community, as well as with other troops from ETSU and Elizabethton.
Another new organization this year is a photography club that is being led by junior Theron Humphrey.