Finding Community Beyond the Classroom at Liberty
Student clubs offer opportunities to build relationships, explore interests and become more involved on campus.
On Sept. 10 and 11, Liberty University is holding an SGA All-Clubs Fair on the Academic Lawn to give students an opportunity to discover a club that could work for them.
Fifty clubs have gathered with recruiters ready to talk to students. This is a good time for any interested party to discover what each club represents and how they can be a part of one.
While many might wonder why they should take extra time to be a part of a club, fencing club recruiter Emerson Olson thinks it can be a good resume builder and can be a lot of fun.
“It’s a good extracurricular outlet,” Olson said. “In the case of our club, we’re the fencing club, it gives you the opportunity to be part of something active and fun.”
Another beneficial aspect of joining a club is the effect it can have on students’ mental health.
Since COVID-19, a study found in Frontiers in Psychology in 2024 found that phones are keeping many students from socializing with others. This is one of the leading contributors to college student loneliness.
In 2025, a study by The Journal of American College Health found that nearly 60% of college students reported feelings of loneliness. The conclusion stated that colleges should try to implement measures to decrease this problem.
This is where clubs come in. They give students the chance to socialize with others outside of a class-related context.
Researchers from Frontiers in Education conducted a 2026 study with about 78,000 students. The results showed that most of the individuals involved in a club felt a deeper sense of belonging and decreased loneliness and psychological distress.
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A recruiter for the Cru club named Rosemarie Uhlmeyer believes that college clubs, especially her club, really help to foster relationships at Liberty, in the Lynchburg community and around the world.
“I think clubs are so important to be involved in because it gives you community…” Uhlmeyer said. “It makes you be part of something bigger than yourself.”
Liberty University clubs cover a very wide range of interests to maximize college student involvement.
There are clubs for those interested in ministry. Whether students want to memorize Scripture or work in ministry, there are places where Christians can gather to build community and grow in their faith.
If students want to use clubs to build their resumes, they can look into clubs specifically for their field. Whether they plan to be veterinarians, therapists or lawyers, Liberty has multiple career club options.
Active clubs are also available for students who just love to compete and be active. There are many club sports, some of which include fencing, chess, table tennis, outdoor recreation and more.
For almost every interest a student might have, there is a student organization with a community of people who share that interest. This can be a huge contributor to foster a sense of student belonging.
“I think that there’s a niche for everything,” Olson said. “Especially at Liberty.”
The Liberty University All-Clubs Fair can let students explore what is available to them and give them a visual representation of the feel of each club.
The clubs will remain set up and ready to talk to students until Sept. 11 at 4 p.m.
