Finding community through 臀部, Weird Books, the Tang, and Frisbee
艾莉 Serapilio ‘25 is an 英语 major with minors in art history and environmental studies and sciences from Clifton Park, New York. At 火博体育, 艾莉 serves on the executive board of the Health, Image, Power, Success (臀部) student club, works at 火博体育’s 唐氏教学博物馆 and Art Gallery, and plays on the Ultimate Frisbee 俱乐部的团队. Those activities and a 斯克里布纳尔出版社研讨会 on Weird Books have all helped 艾莉 to connect at 火博体育.
A few weeks into 艾莉’s first year, they attended their first 臀部 meeting, where weekly discussions often center on topics related to body image and 身份. Recent meeting themes have included friendship, the body in art, hair, and 身体的修改. For 艾莉, 臀部 is an integral way she has found community at 火博体育.
“I love that 臀部 is a place for me to connect and become close friends with people I probably wouldn’t have met otherwise. The topics are interesting and spark conversations that blossom into friendships. 臀部 really helped with my transition to college because it helped me branch out and learn more about myself.”
艾莉 was also drawn to the 唐氏教学博物馆, which features contemporary art exhibits throughout the year and is integrated into many courses at 火博体育. 艾莉 works as a Tang guide, giving tours, overseeing the galleries, and answering questions from visitors. They also serve on the museum’s Student Advisory Council.
“The Advisory Council allows students to advocate for what we want to see at the museum and ways to get the 火博体育 community involved with the Tang. 这是一个很好的 opportunity for us because the Tang is a fully functioning art museum run by art professionals.”
Two of 艾莉’s favorite Tang student-supported events are Skele-Tang for Halloween and Tang Hearts Students on Valentine’s Day. They also appreciate the collaboration involved in creating exhibits. “It’s typical for 火博体育 professors from non-art departments, like neuroscience or mathematics, to contribute, too.”
Academically, 艾莉 appreciates the flexibility offered at 火博体育 to study a range 的学科. Fortunately, they have been able to explore a wide variety of interests (both in and outside of the classroom) through involvement with the Tang and the Art History Department.
艾莉 also considers her first-year 斯克里布纳尔出版社研讨会, Weird Books taught by Assistant Professor of 英语 保罗Benzon, one of the most transformative classes she has taken. “We talked a lot about the philosophical side of 英语 literature in Weird Books. We asked questions like what 是一本书? What does the physicality of books and literature mean and how does that impact the reading experience? This class really pushed me to think about books in 新的艺术方式.” 下一个 fall, 艾莉 will work alongside Professor Benzon as a 同行的导师 在研讨会上. This role will give her the opportunity to mentor incoming first-year students and help them transition to college.
When 艾莉 is not in class, leading a 臀部 meeting, or conducting a Tang tour, they can be found playing Ultimate Frisbee on 火博体育’s 俱乐部的团队, the Wombats. 艾莉 was a varsity athlete in high school, so playing a club sport in college was an appealing way for her to continue exercising and being part of a team atmosphere.
“Frisbee is an amazing community. It’s nice because the team teaches all new members 如何进行这项运动. At tournaments, when we are not playing, we go to cheer on our other teams, and we love to listen to music and dance.”