Various clubs, organizations offer students chance to get involved

Psychology Club, Veterans of Amarillo Club, Amarillo College Engineering Society among more than 40

By Nikki Larkan

Numerous clubs and organizations are available at Amarillo College to help students get involved with classes while connecting to the community. They range from religion to politics to design and more.

Psychology Club

The Psychology Club meets at noon Tuesdays on the Washington Street Campus in 203 Durrett Hall.

Dr. Alan Kee, a psychology professor, co-sponsors this organization with Dr. Deborah Harding and Dr. Beth Rodriguez.

Kee said anyone who has curiosity about their behavior or is seeking understanding should join.

“I want it to be a supportive environment, where they can get to know each other, help each other study and support each other,” Kee said. “That’s one of the most important aspects of it.”

He said it is for anyone who is interested and wants a place to talk about ideas. Members discuss psychology topics, including disorders, behavior and suicide.

Dr. Thomas Ellis, a psychiatry professor at Baylor University and director and professor at the Menninger Clinic, is scheduled to visit St. Stephen United Methodist Church on Oct. 7. Ellis will

present a workshop for social workers, counselors and anyone else who wants to attend. One of the main focuses of the workshop will be suicide prevention.

“I’m bringing him in through another organization, but I’m wanting to get my club connected to that event,” Kee said.

Veterans of Amarillo College

Veterans of AC is sponsored by Joe Gandy, an aviation maintenance instructor.

“It’s centered around the veterans themselves,” Gandy said. “Any veteran that has been in the military service is definitely a voting member of the club.”

Gandy said spouses and children also can join but do not have voting rights in the club. VAC has not elected officers yet but will at the next meeting.

VAC meets at 3:30 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month and at 1:30 p.m. on the fourth Friday of each month in the private dining room of the College Union Building on the Washington Street Campus.

The club helps veterans enter the work force, extends support and offers information on medical and educational programs.

Gandy said veterans often are not accustomed to a civilian environment.

“It’s going to be a hard road to hoe if you want to go to school,” he said. “But we will definitely help you get there.”

Gandy said the group works with many organizations affiliated with veterans, including Patriot Guard, Veterans of America and the branches of service.

For veterans looking for somewhere to go and someone to help, Gandy said, “You’re in the right spot. Vets helping vets. I’m a vet, and I’m here to help you.”

Amarillo College Engineering Society

Richard Chambers, a math, engineering and science instructor, is a co-sponsor of ACES, the Amarillo College Engineering Society. Other sponsors are Ron Bennett, Gina Garrett and Collin Witherspoon.

Aaron Klein is president, Casey Hernandez is vice president, Charles Jones is historian and Carly Grant is secretary. The officers are AC students.

“Anybody, I don’t care if you’re an English major, can join,” Chambers said.

The group meets at noon on the first Wednesday of each month in the former cafeteria space on the Washington Street Campus.

“We offer speakers who talk to the students about the engineering profession,” Chambers said.

ACES also is active with the community.

“We actually cooperated with the Habitat For Humanity,” Chambers said.

Members will take tours this year of Xcel Energy, Bell Helicopter and Amarillo Gear.

“We’re looking forward to some student projects,” Chambers said.

ACES has its schedule of events online at https://www.facebook.com/#!/ACENGR

Chambers said being part of an organization looks great on a resume.