(Archive March 2006) The Importance of Getting Involved

By Krista Traffie | Observer Reporter

Greg Clement, Director of Student Life, recently spoke to the Jour­nalism 101 class on the importance of students involving themselves in their school.

“You have a greater chance of achieving your academic poten­tial if you engage in your school,” Clement said.

During his 45-minute speech Clement, 47, emphasized interac­tion with fellow students and professors. Casual conversation, he said, can give a student much more information on the school, text­books, classes, and professors.

“My biggest goal is to somehow convince students that it’s worth the risk to get involved,” Clement said. Sharing resources can help a student go a long way, he said.

“There’s a whole plan and theory to (having events on campus),” said Clement.

The Mardi Gras jewelry event held recently was not just about mak­ing jewelry. It was about interacting with others-something Clement repeatedly emphasized.

Clement has realized that he cannot force people to become friends. So instead he views himself as a “community builder” by organizing events to create an environment where making acquain­tances is possible. Clement said that even waiting in line in the cafeteria could get students to interact.

Clement’s life-long passion has been to engage himself socially and help others to do the same. As an extrovert who grew up in ru­ral Canada, Clement said that as a child he enjoyed getting together with friends and family. In college, Clement, the first traditional col­lege student in his family, threw himself into being involved and was the president of almost every organization he belonged to.