After five years of inactivity, the Jones College Philosophy Club has been reestablished under the sponsorship of John Stockstill, philosophy professor, and Stephanie Johnson, psychology professor.
According to Johnson, the reformation of the Philosophy Club came about because many students were showing interest in joining the club.
Johnson said, “We’ve had so many students ask about the club, and we just decided that since the students were interested, we needed to have something to offer them.”
Dadreon Seals, a Jones College freshman and president of the Philosophy Club, said that he was interested in the club because he saw it as a chance to express himself, listen to other’s opinions about the world and continue to form his own opinions.
“There should always be a group on campus who can express the ideas of multiple and diverse groups,” said Seals. “It’s a way to explore the world and bring that back to the campus and the community that lives here.”
The sponsors of the Philosophy Club intend to continue the tradition of community service that the club has had in the past. They also want to allow the new members to adapt this tradition, so they will be letting the members choose how they want to serve the community.
“I want to continue doing service projects,” said Johnson. “In the past we’ve done autism awareness. We’ve also done a lot of things with the animal rescue league in Jones County. I do like that we are able to help different groups, and this year we told the students that, since it is a new group of people, it doesn’t have to be those same things. We want the students to feel like it’s something that they’re passionate about, so we’re letting the students decide what that will be.”
Although the Philosophy Club has two sponsors that oversee the club’s activities, the organization is structured in a way that gives its members the authority to direct what the club does.
Johnson said, “I love that it’s student driven. They’re the ones that say what they want to do, and their interest is what motivates John and I.”
The Philosophy Club is always open for students to join. The sponsors and current members are hoping to encourage more students to become a part of the club.
“If you’re thinking about joining the club, it will be the experience of a lifetime,” said Seals. “You will grow, you will meet brand new friends, and you will learn to express yourself. If you’re looking to find out things about yourself, this is the club to be in.”
According to Johnson, the Philosophy Club will be beneficial to anyone who wants to join, and there are no set requirements for activity with the club.
“There is no way you would regret joining the club because it’s just fun,” said Johnson. “You can be as involved or as passive as you want to be. You don’t have to be the center of attention if that’s not your style. You can be involved in a minimal way and still get something out of it.” Currently, there are 32 members in the Philosophy Club, and to get involved, students can email Johnson at stephanie.johnson@jcjc.edu or Stockstill at john.stockstill@jcjc.edu.
by Jaylynn Conner