While some Buffaloes may roam, Milligan College saw their ‘Buffs ‘rush’ into the Gregory Center Wednesday morning.
As the academic year gets into full swing, Milligan hosted their annual Rush Day much to the enjoyment of the student bodies. Various organizations set up shop inside the Center to promote what their club provides. Rush Day is an annual tradition at Milligan, according to Director of Campus Activities Jason Onks.
“This is an annual event we do, typically about a month into our school year,” Onks said. “Rush Day is an opportunity for clubs and organizations on campus, which we have over 40 now, to be in one place to allow our students to see what’s available on campus to get involved, be plugged in and figure out what they need to do to create their own club.”
Gifted with breakfast courtesy of Chick-fil-A, students shared smiles, stories and moments of friendship Wednesday as decisions were forged about what the school year with offer away from the classrooms.
Along with joining different clubs or organizations, the student body also had the chance to help out the residents of Texas.
Coming off the heels of the devastation left by Hurricane Harvey, the Student Government Association of Milligan has hit the ground running by raising donations for those affected by the natural disaster.
Miles away, the impact was felt on campus, according to SGA Treasurer Praise Gichuru.
“After Hurricane Harvey hit, we felt like we needed to help,” Gichuru said Wednesday. “I have family in Houston; we have students that have family in Houston and have a lot of students that are from the Brownsville/Houston area, too. We just felt like their families were in need, and we knew we needed to help because they are part of our student body.”
Gichuru added the SGA spent two days researching different charities before selecting the Houston Food Bank.
“We were told the best way we could help was to provide monetary donations,” Gichuru said. “Organizations on site know what the people need. We spent time researching and picked the Houston Food Bank. They do a great job and were donating dry food and canned goods to people inside shelters.”
Once the green light was received, SGA used a mere bucket and a mobile app to start gathering funds. What began as a small idea grew rather quickly, according to Gichuru, with the organization raising over $1,500 on the first day of fundraising efforts.
“It has been incredible,” she added with a smile. “We’re so blessed to have such an active student body. It rather surpassed expectations. That’s what we’re doing here today. Students have a chance to make a donation that will go directly to the Houston Food Bank.”
While the student body is doing their part, the community has also done their part by donating to the cause.
Individuals looking to assist with relief efforts can either visit houstonfoodbank.org or Milligan’s website for more information.