Division of Humanities
Student Organizations
Student Run
Art History Club -- The Art History Club arranges special events coordinated with the Art department at Washington College. For more information, please contact Colleen Kearins ckearins2@washcoll.edu.
Artist's Union -- The Artist's Union works to improve fellowship and visibility of the visual arts community of Washington College. We operate to host events such as rotating exhibitions of student work, workshops, and special occasions like 24 hour comics day. We seek to strengthen the visual arts community at Washington College by making it more welcoming and immersing to students of all disciplines.
Dance Club -- The Dance Club is open to all students interested in dance as art, exercise, recreation, or performance. The Club serves to encourage the growth of dance by giving students the opportunity to study various forms of dance, attend performances by professional companies, take workshops and master classes, and provides opportunities for education through student performances and creating an outlet for creative expression. Activities from last year included the Dance-on-Film series, attending the 33rd State Dance Festival, performing at the Music Department's Annual Renaissance Dinner, and presenting a spring dance concert. Weekly technique classes were taught in ballet, tap, jazz, modern, lyrical, hip hop, ballroom, and Nepali dance. To join the dance club list serve, click here.
Guerilla Musical Theatre Troupe -- The Guerilla Musical Theatre Troupe is poised to make campus life a little bit more spontaneous, with the use of song and dance to keep the unwary masses on their toes. It is a way to bring the college community together by getting students and passersby to enjoy themselves when they least expect it - and to make life a musical, as it so very well should be. For more information, please contact Cade Moak at kmoak2@washcoll.edu.
Historical Society
Musicians' Union -- The Musicians' Union is composed of a group of student musicians who enhance campus social life through the avenue of the arts. At least two Thursdays a month, the union sponsors Java Drop-Ins or coffeehouses that offer student musicians to play in front of a campus audience. It is open to anyone who wishes to participate and share his or her creativity. Previously, the Musicians' Union participated in a hunger benefit, which they recorded and hope to release on CD as a fundraiser for charity. The most popular union event is the annual tribute show in which the union pays homage to a great and storied band. Past tributes include U2, Pearl Jam, The Beatles, and Pink Floyd. The Musicians' Union continues to heighten creativity and helps focus the liberal arts experience on originality, dedication and social cohesion.
Philosophy Club -- The Philosophy Club is open to all students of all majors on campus. Students in the past have called the informal discussions and atmosphere of philosophy club relaxing. "It's nice to be able to think and talk openly about something other than school work, and not worry about being graded either." During the year, the philosophy club holds and hosts several events, including meditation sessions, political and ethical discussions, and movie nights. We also have an annual round-table discussion, featuring Tom May, a tutor from Saint John's College in Annapolis, and a faculty member from Washington College as moderators. Lastly, the club also publishes a philosophical journal, Apeiron, featuring the work of students. Meetings are held on an event centered basis, so please look for all campus e-mails, or sign up on the list serve!
Writers' Union -- The Writers' Union promotes camaraderie among writers at Washington College and organizes activities that promote the literary arts on campus. Our aim is to provide a forum for writers, readers, and students who appreciate the written and spoken word. We accomplish this through a variety of readings, sponsorship of literary magazines, and writing-themed social events. By providing members with the opportunity to share their writing in a safe environment, our members support each other with the positive critical feedback that is the essential part of the writing life. As usual, the Rose O'Neill Literary House is in full swing, with visiting poets and fiction writers, the Graveyard Reading, the (adults only) Children's Reading, the Really Bad Poetry Reading, Flash Fiction, and 24-hour Plays.
Writer's Theatre -- The Writers' Theatre is unique among the various theatre groups at Washington College because everything this group performs is original. The group emphasizes the connection between writing and theatre and it tries to give the members an opportunity both to write and perform. Last semester the group put on a show called "Must See WT," which was a series of scenes written by members, which centered on television shows. This spring, the group plans to do two shows, the first of which will be a collection of monologues and short scenes and the second may be a "Clue-esque" mystery show performed in the Literary House. In addition to shows, the group organizes workshops and seminars on acting, technical work, and writing. No experience necessary.
Honor Societies
Nu Delta Alpha -- Washington College has a chapter of Nu Delta Alpha—the national dance honor society—which is open to students who maintain a 3.0 GPA and show outstanding ability in dance technique, performance, scholarship, choreography, literature, and/or production.
Phi Alpha Theta -- Phi Alpha Theta is the local chapter of the national history honor society. This student-run organization sponsors various presentations, informal discussions and a lecture series. Members are given the opportunity to present thesis proposals annually at the regional meeting at American University in Washington, DC. Students may also submit writings for publication in the Historian, the organization's academic journal.
Pi Delta Phi -- Pi Delta Phi is the National French Honor Society, founded at the University of California, Berkeley, in 1906. The Society is devoted to recognizing outstanding scholarship in the French language and to increasing the knowledge and appreciation for the cultural contributions of the French-speaking world.
Phi Sigma Tau -- Phi Sigma Tau, the National Honor Society in Philosophy, is open to any student who has completed three semesters at an accredited college or university. Nonmajors are eligible. The successful applicant will 1) be in the upper 35% of his or her class, 2) and have completed at least three courses in philosophy or religion with an average of 3.4 (in any three such courses). Applications and details are available from Prof. Peter Weigel, Faculty Chapter Advisor, or Jennifer Sutphin, Student Officer. Membership carries no obligation beyond the application process. Phi Sigma Tau is administered in conjunction with the Philosophy Club at Washington College.
Sigma Tau Delta -- Sigma Tau Delta is the International English Honor Society for undergraduate and graduate students. The Mu Nu chapter at Washington College recognizes students who excel in the study of English Language and Literature and offers them opportunities to enrich their education and careers. Active members must have completed at least three semesters of English courses with an A- average and rank in the top thirty-five percent of their class. Members may participate in organizational conferences and conventions as well as be eligible for grants and scholarships.
If you're involved in a club that you'd like to see featured here, feel free to e-mail eaiken2@washcoll.edu
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