MTSU freshman Homer Jones relishes an opportunity to skydive some day.

During the annual MTSU Student Organization Fair Sept. 2 in the Student Union Commons, Jones had the chance to meet members of the Blue Chutes Skydive Club.

Blue Chutes was one of more than 100 student organizations participating in the fair, which attracted hundreds of students during breaks between classes.

The Center for Student Involvement and Leadership held the Student Organization Fair at a central location and time where the university’s more than 300 clubs and groups can recruit new members.

“There were many phenomenal organizations that will help me toward my major and help me accomplish childhood hobbies,” said Jones, 18, a business administration major with an emphasis in economics and finance from Memphis, Tennessee.

The fair “has become a big help,” added Jones, who also obtained literature about martial arts and community empowerment at the fair. “I’ve always wanted to go skydiving.”

Grace Roberts, left, a sophomore forensic science major from Lebanon, Tenn., hands out hot dogs to students attending the MTSU Student Organization Fair Sept. 2 in the Student Union Commons. Members of the Baptist Collegiate Ministry cooked 700 hot dogs and provided chips and drinks for the event. (MTSU photo by News and Media Relations)

MTSU features more than 300 student organizations, most ranging anywhere from a handful to 30 or 40 students, and some even larger.

“Organizations can showcase what they have,” said Jackie Victory, director of the Office of Student Organizations and Service.

“It’s a place where new or transfer students can come and find out about all the options available to them — in one location and at one time — instead of them trying to find when and where they meet on campus.”

An estimated 6,500 MTSU students will be involved with student organizations this fall, Victory said.

For more information about MTSU student organizations, call 615-898-5812 or visit www.mtsu.edu/involve.

The annual Week of Welcome Department Fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 3. Various MTSU departments will showcase what they offer for new, transfer and returning students.

— Randy Weiler (Randy.Weiler@mtsu.edu)