So far in this column, we’ve covered Mega Councils dedicated to programming for every student and diversity, but this week, we’re featuring a club that focuses on the students that go back home every night: Commuter Council.
Caleb Gething, junior theater design and technology major and president of Commuter Council, or CC, explained that he got involved with the club very early in his Wilkes career.
“I got started with the Commuter Council my freshman year during the commuter orientation session. I was drawn to this club because of the sense of community I felt just from sitting through the presentation.”
Gething has become a part of this tradition, as he was one of the students giving that presentation to incoming first-years at new student orientation in July.
“The Commuter Council, while small, tries to do a lot around campus. Having people interact with and come to commuter events can make it so we can plan much bigger and better events,” said Teara Deonarine, psychology major, and secretary of the Commuter Council.
Deonarine shared that there are tons of fun events happening.
“This fall semester has basically been a jumpstart with us doing more events and communicating with more people. We plan on doing more community service, and being more active on campus.”
Despite all the new plans, Commuter Council hopes to continue some favorite events, like Gething’s favorite: the Annual CC BBQ “…not only for the food, but to see everyone come together.”
Clubs that cater to a specific Wilkes-need, like the Commuter Council, are essential to the success of these students.
“Clubs like the Commuter Council are important specifically because if there is a commuter issue, we can talk to Dean Gretchen about it and see what we can do to help commuters on campus feel more at home here,” said Deonarine.
Gretchen Yeninas, Dean for Student Life, serves as the Adviser to the Commuter Council. The Commuter Council meets every other Thursday in the new Commuter Lounge, located in the basement of the Farley Library, right next to the Prayer Room.
Gething shared, “…while the club was designed for commuter students, we are not exclusive to the commuter students. All are welcome.”
To keep up with the Commuter Council, you can follow them on Instagram @wilkes_commuter.