On a campus with a student population of 12,800, how do DU students find their place in a community? Three students at the University of Denver discuss how they’ve found their own circles in various ways demonstrating how community can truly be found anywhere in any way.

For Naomi Penner, it’s DU Programing Board (DUPB). DUPB is a club that helps organize events and activities throughout campus.

Penner was introduced to the club initially at the DU club fair her freshman year. After holding off on joining due to the stressors related to the first year on campus, she joined her sophomore year and found herself enjoying the friendly environment and extensive opportunities to meet amazing people.

The club has presented Penner with many benefits.

“It’s gotten me a lot more involved with doing stuff at the school and being a part of the school,” she explains.

Penner emphasizes how DUPB has helped her in creating connections with new and interesting people, an opportunity she is grateful for because of this campus community.

Lizz Holmes has found her people on campus through the Delta Zeta sorority and the business fraternity.

Being an athlete in high school who was accustomed to team sports, Delta Zeta has given her that opportunity to feel, in a way, a part of a team again. Though she chose not to go through formal recruitment, Holmes was able to meet girls ahead of time in the sorority which led to her ultimate decision to join in the spring quarter last year.

The business frat targets her academic side, giving her the opportunity to work with other motivated and business oriented students on campus.

“Its a bunch of nerds who love business and it’s been great,” says Holmes.

The two communities she resides in on campus overlap frequently. Holmes explains how she first heard about the business fraternity through one of the girls in Delta Zeta. Being involved in both of these communities provides her with opportunities working with the rest of greek life as well, including soccer and flag football tournaments.

 This phenomenon aligns with many students on campus who also find themselves in many intertwining communities. 

Lastly, Kylie Fenske has found her support system through club figure skating. Fenske applied to the University because of the team and the opportunities it would present her with.

She joined her freshman year, immediately immersing herself in the club and finding ways to meet and work with students who share her same interest. This community is built around a deep love for skating that many, including Fenske possess.

“It’s given me a lot of friends, even a few of my best friends,” she shares.

Club figure skating has given Fenske a positive, social environment where she can pursue her passion with those she loves. 

Communities can be found anywhere here on campus. There are so many offered and available to students of any interests or backgrounds.

The University hosts over 100 student-run clubs on campus. Whether it’s through a sport, academics, values, or even a favorite book, there are so many places for students to find where they belong.