Semester kicks off with seasonal Lobofest

Sonoma State students gathered in Seawolf Plaza this past Wednesday to explore several clubs and organizations during the seasonal Lobofest showcase. The event gave an opportunity to over 100 clubs and organizations to show off what they’re about and potentially attract students who could  benefit in joining.  Lobofest had a variety of groups to be involved in, everything from fraternities and sororities to mental health services were tabling.  

The majority of what was on display during Lobofest was student run such as the entrepreneurship club. In true entrepreneurial spirit, Senior Connor Saal worked on establishing the club to help other aspiring students become successful. They aim to be a resource for any and all students; operating based off of the needs and demands of the members who join. Saal hopes to see an influx of students, particularly undergraduates, who can carry on the mantle of the club once he graduates. Connor has many plans and ideas for their weekly meetings including hearing from a guest speaker on the Forbes list.

A Sonoma State service worth checking out is Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS). CAPS is an SSU service that offers therapy from licensed psychologists. SSU student Mckayla Louie was seen tabling for CAPS and is currently interning with the organization. Louie shared her thoughts on the service provided by Sonoma State, “[CAPS] is something for anyone and everyone who wants to reach out because it's good to check in every once in a while.” CAPS is a highly encouraged service for SSU students to utilize because they already pay for this resource through their college registration fees. Seawolves are entitled to 10 one on one therapy sessions per academic year. 

The International Education and Exchange Council (IEEC) provides students with the opportunity to study abroad as well as welcome international students to our very own SSU campus. Hope Ortiz is the global engagement coordinator who represented the IEEC during this past Lobofest. She spoke about why students should consider joining, “The purpose of the IEEC is to bring international students and Sonoma State students together to form a global community.” They provide a unique opportunity to study in another region of the world. The IEEC is an affordable and alternative way of learning for students. If interested, contact the Global Engagement Office goglobal@sonoma.edu.   

 Another popular student run club that will catch the eye of many Seawolves is the Hiking club. For those looking to soak up the sun and get away from the campus with friends, the Hiking club is definitely for you. Robert Norbutas and Rachel Burson were tabling during Lobofest and described the club as, “positive and inclusive vibe for SSU students.” Hikes are slated to be every other Sunday in the Sonoma County area. 

The club realizes Sonoma county covers a lot of terrain and may be too long of a trek for some students. As a solution, the hiking club has decided to keep most hikes within 30 minutes of campus. Many of their past hikes can be found on their social media @ssu_hiking_club if students are curious about where they have hiked in previous semesters. Rachel Burson believes, “[the club] allows students to unwind and meet outside of school.” Burson added how family members and pets are also welcome to come on hikes.

Whether it is hiking through the beautiful Sonoma county or finding ways to travel the world, one thing is for sure, Lobofest has given students opportunities for it all. If you are a Seawolf looking to join a club, browse the “Clubs and Organizations” page at getinvolved.sonoma.edu or contact studentinvolvement@sonoma.edu for any additional questions.