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Astronomy Club shines at first stargazing event

Astronomy Club shines at first stargazing event

by | May 14, 2025 | Student Life

The UNK Astronomy Club was recognized as an official campus organization last week. For its first official event, the club hosted a stargazing session, during which attendees observed the night sky and connected with other astronomy enthusiasts. 

Organization leaders aim to get more people interested in astronomy.

“We wanted to start this club to engage with all levels of interest and knowledge in astronomy,” said Kim Larbey, president of the Astronomy Club. “The Physics Club is more specialized in physics, and we thought there was a gap. People love astronomy, but they get intimidated by some of the work and the boring stuff, and now we can explore and learn together.”

The idea for the UNK Astronomy Club began two years ago in a modern physics class taught by Brandon Marshall, who now serves as the club’s adviser. Marshall encouraged students to take the lead, saying he’d support the effort. The idea resurfaced this summer, leading to the club’s official formation this semester.

Student government approved the organization during their Sept. 24 meeting. The club’s first event brought in 22 attendees for a planetarium show, followed by a movie screening with 15 members in attendance.

Club leaders plan to involve the community and create an inclusive environment.

“We are thinking bigger than the campus community,” said Barrett Lee, vice president of the club. “We’re also going to open it up to the Kearney community. We want to make some of our events family-friendly and incorporate fundraisers. It’s about fostering curiosity and a love for science for everyone, not just science majors.” 

Their first public event is scheduled for Oct. 12, National Astronomy Club Day. The event will be open to students and the Kearney community to use their equipment to stargaze, educate them on constellations and increase interest in astronomy. 

The stargazing event on Sept. 25 took place at the green space west of Discovery Hall. To begin the meeting, attendees were provided with snacks and refreshments. Printed planispheres were distributed, helping participants identify the constellations visible that night.

“Tonight’s event will focus on stargazing, building on our last meeting where we explored the constellations in the planetarium,” Larbey said. “A highlight will be viewing Saturn and its rings through the telescopes, and we will also be on the lookout for the International Space Station as it passes by.”

The event featured a scavenger hunt with two stations. One station had two telescopes to view Saturn, allowing attendees to view Saturn’s rings. The other station focused on observing various stars and constellations, offering additional opportunities for exploration. 

“Our university has all of this cool equipment,” Lee said. “We wanted to close the gap between students who aren’t in the department and the opportunity to use our resources, like the telescopes and other equipment.”

The club’s state-of-the-art equipment allows attendees to observe celestial objects.

“Seeing Saturn’s rings with your own eyes for the first time is truly awe-inspiring, and we want to provide that opportunity for everyone,” Lee said. 

Any students interested in joining the organization can contact Larbey at her email, [email protected]. 

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TRIOTA crafts friendship bracelets for Suicide Prevention Month

TRIOTA crafts friendship bracelets for Suicide Prevention Month

by | May 14, 2025 | Student Life

TRIOTA hosted a friendship bracelet-making event to promote suicide prevention awareness. They partnered with the behavioral and mental health minor adviser to provide a slideshow of suicide prevention resources. 

The planners emphasized the importance of creating a supportive community to encourage open conversations about mental health and suicide prevention.

“I hope this event highlights the seriousness of the issue, showing people they don’t need to feel isolated,” said Suzanne Maughan Spencer, behavioral and mental health minor faculty adviser. “I want people to know there are others around who will help or guide them to the right resources.”

The organization hosts a variety of activities, including the recent friendship bracelet-making event for suicide prevention. 

“The friendship bracelet activity is just about unity,” said Kim Larbey, president of the. “I feel like making friendship bracelets implies you will give them to someone else. It’s a cute little gift to give someone to make them feel better.”

Attendees made colorful beaded bracelets while learning essential resources about suicide prevention. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, National Suicide Prevention Month began in 2008, and suicide remains a major public health concern in the United States, ranking as the 11th leading cause of death in 2021. 

Participants were educated on recognizing warning signs and identifying behavior changes. They also learned how to reach out to loved ones, express their feelings and check in on someone who may be struggling, equipping them with skills to support themselves and others.

TRIOTA is a Women’s & Gender Studies Honor Society that recognizes academic excellence among students. To join, members must be Women and Gender Studies minors and maintain a 3.0 GPA or higher in their courses. Members of the organization plan to share their knowledge of suicide prevention with other students. 

“We want to involve everyone in what we do and share who we are,” said Becca Zeleski, a member of TRIOTA. “We can ask and educate people at our tabling event if they know the warning signs of suicide and how they can help prevent it, along with offering valuable resources.”

With this event, TRIOTA members are dedicated to continuing their education and expanding their knowledge of suicide prevention throughout UNK’s campus. They aim to raise awareness about mental health by engaging in regular activities and discussions. 

“TRIOTA’s mission is to unite individuals interested in women and gender studies while raising awareness about these important topics, especially since suicide rates are higher among marginalized groups,” Maughan Spencer said. “To foster community and support suicide prevention, TRIOTA hosts regular activities at least once a month, promoting healthy minds and relationships.”

TRIOTA’s mission is to create an environment that encourages open conversations about mental health, fosters healthy relationships and educates about suicide prevention.

UNK offers support services for those dealing with challenges. Counseling sessions are available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Memorial Student Affairs Building, Room 144. The semester health fee covers all visits.

TRIOTA plans to keep promoting mental health awareness and providing support through various initiatives and events.

“We have always prioritized mental health awareness and wanted to hold this event during suicide prevention month,” Hoffman said. “I hope this event brings joy to people and fosters a sense of closeness. While we are an honor society, we want everyone to feel loved and happy here.”

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Student Senate approves new organizations

Student Senate approves new organizations

by | May 14, 2025 | Student Life

Last week’s UNK Student Government meeting focused on supporting and expanding student organizations. Three new groups were approved and a bill for financial support was discussed.

Student government leaders recognize the impact of student organizations and are committed to continuing their ongoing support. 

“These organizations engage students, fuel their passions and contribute to their success, which is why boosting student engagement is a key focus,” said Luke Przymus, speaker of the senate. “I urge our senators to connect with their constituents and speak up for those who feel unheard, using their campus involvement and influence to make a difference.”

The Senate approved three new organizations, expanding opportunities for student involvement on campus. The first, UNK College Republicans, aims to provide a conservative platform for students to engage in political discussions and activities. The group plans to hold events throughout the year and meet monthly in Copeland Hall. 

United in Dance, a group focused on traditional dancing, was also approved. With 13 members, it provides a space for students to express themselves and will host events throughout the year. 

Lastly, Alpha Psi, a Latino Honor Society, emphasizes core values of culture, intellect and service, aiming to promote these principles through its activities and membership.

Continuing the focus on student involvement, the Senate reviewed President Sam Schroeder’s proposed New Student Organization Investment Act. This act aims to allocate funds from the discretionary portion of the student government budget to new student groups. 

“This will help with issues such as recruitment, retention and financial support,” Schroeder said. “If they (student groups) apply for this, it will provide the boost they need to recruit new members and keep students involved, which is a key goal. We aim to empower students and organizations so they can empower themselves and others.”

Senators Jett Simpson and Olivia Lawless proposed revisions to Schroeder’s bill. They suggested that all student organizations be eligible to apply for these grants, aiming to widen access to these funds and enhance retention. Their proposal emphasizes supporting a wide range of groups to maximize impact and engagement across campus.

“While reviewing the New Student Organization Investment Act, the student senators focused on meeting the needs of all student organizations, not just new organizations,” Simpson said. “We want to ensure that the allocated funds are directed towards all student organizations, benefiting more students on our campus.”

Amendments to the bill will be proposed and reviewed at the next meeting to ensure it supports all student organizations effectively and broadens its impact.

Senators from various committees presented their reports to the student government body. Senator Hernan Vargas, from the DEI Committee, highlighted one of Schroeder’s campaign initiatives, improving transportation for international students. The committee is also exploring additional transportation options for UNK Global to better support international students on campus.

“This summer I had several meetings with different organizations about transportation,” Schroeder said. “The main topics were when and how to market it, along with outreach initiatives. Moving forward, we need to discuss funding options and continue our conversations about outreach.”

The Senate held votes for several positions. Laura Velasco was previously interviewed by the Rules and Ethics Committee and approved as the election commissioner. Additionally, the following members were approved and sworn in for the executive cabinet: Emma Nolan as chief of staff, Ally Sedlacek as secretary of community relations, Joey Orellana as secretary of treasury and Genesis Acosta as secretary of organizations and affairs.

Przymus is eager to see how senators will drive further campus improvements.

“We have many experienced senators, which makes managing them easy since they’re independent and knowledgeable,” Przymus said. “I guide them on what I and the executive cabinet want accomplished, but I trust them to handle their tasks independently.”

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Organization fair encourages students to get involved

Organization fair encourages students to get involved

by | May 14, 2025 | Student Life

Student Government hosted the semesterly Student Organization Fair outside the Nebraskan Student Union, where students visited organizations’ tables to meet leaders and explore opportunities.

The event aimed to connect students with various groups on campus to enhance their involvement and experience.

“Our goal is to reach out to freshmen and new students on campus to show them everything UNK offers and help them find their place here,” said Emma Nolan, student government’s chief of staff. “The event truly highlights how we are a tight-knit community.”

The fair occurs every semester, with the fall fair held outdoors and the spring fair inside NSU. This fall, the fair happened outside the NSU, relocating from the usual campus greens by the fountain due to a recent pipe burst.

Despite the change, the new location attracted heavy foot traffic, with many students exploring opportunities at various tables. 

To participate in the event, organizations must be recognized student organizations by the University. Each group is responsible for registering for the event, ensuring representatives are present at their table and decorating their section to effectively showcase their organization’s activities and contributions to the community. This allows each organization to highlight its unique role and engage with students. To do this, tables featured prizes, activities, music and free merchandise to draw in those looking to get involved. 

“We used candy to attract interest and wore our club shirts,” said Clare Coniglio, Sport and Recreation Club president. “We set up photos and fun pop-up activities, allowing people to walk by and check things out.”

Approximately 50 organizations participated in the event, continuing the strong turnout for fall and spring organization fairs in recent years. 

Students tabling at the event highlighted how involvement on campus has contributed to their personal growth and skill development. They emphasized the value of these experiences in enhancing their resumes and making a positive impression on future employers.

“Especially in the field of recreation and sport, success depends on both who you know and what you know,” Coniglio said. “If I hadn’t joined SPREC, I wouldn’t have secured my internship or met my best friend. Making connections is key to advancing in your career.”

Tables encourage joining campus organizations to open doors to valuable connections and career opportunities.

“Joining an organization on campus opens doors to networking and meeting people across UNK, which provides opportunities to build both your resume and personal experiences, all while preparing you for your future career,” said Olivia Lawless, president of Future Business Leaders of America.

Students responded to the advice by signing up for email information lists at the tables. 

“I’m getting involved in more clubs to reach out and meet new people,” said Skylar Moe, junior exercise science major. “I think it’ll help me expand beyond my current friend group and get more involved overall.” 

Leaders of student organizations recognize the importance of these events for growing their organizations. They encourage students to contact organizations they are interested in and see what can benefit them. 

“As student leaders, the most important thing we can do is communicate what will truly benefit all students,” Lawless said. “We need to create niche value that contributes to their specific needs and goals, shaping our organization to serve and support everyone.”

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