French Club recently held its first meeting at Shepherd University, hoping to further multicultural relations and interest.
The club was founded after conversations between students and faculty who believed that there was a need for a French outlet on campus. The group felt there was a significant need to demonstrate diversity on campus and met to discuss the potential of forming a club. The idea began to solidify after the initial meeting, and the club was created.
Membership to the club is open to any student with an interest in the French language or culture. The club holds no bias to students with limited or no French experience.
The club held a celebration of Mardi Gras on Feb. 12 at the Knutti Corner. They offered king’s cake, a traditional Fat Tuesday sweet. Students could also trade trivia answers for flashy beads.
The club hopes to reach out to all students to join in events such as these, ranging from movie and bingo nights to poetry readings. The club is also reaching out to other language and cultural clubs on campus to take part in the diversity increase.
The club’s executive staff comprises students. President Felix Gouanette, a junior nursing major, wants the club to become “a way for students to learn more about the French culture.”
Vice President Eileen Waggoner, a sophomore English major, said it is the club’s hope to share the culture and language with everyone on campus.
Dr. Lois Jarman, co-faculty advisor to the club, would like to see the club become a significant presence on campus.
Jarman said, “We need to increase multicultural awareness.”
The next meeting for the French club will be Feb. 27 at Shaharazades in Shepherdstown.
Some of the upcoming events for the club are a movie night on March 20 at 8 p.m. in Knutti 205. The club will hold a bingo night March 1 from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Blue/Gray Room. There will also be a “Poisson d’avril” (April Fool’s) celebration April 1 from noon to 3 p.m. in the Rams Den.
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