Club Spotlight: In Word and Deed, Students Honor Veterans
Members of the Student Veterans Organization, shown, and the Tactical Fitness Club, are uniting to support veterans this fall. Shown, from left: Student Veterans Organization Advisor Barbara King with SVO members at their most recent meeting: Brianna Cahoon, Claudia Lopez, Ben DeTrempe, Ryan Lally, Josh Moore and Jay Kapadia.Through two fall events, members of The University of Scranton Tactical Fitness Club and Student Veterans Organization focus on giving back and honoring those who have dedicated their lives in service to their country.
This week, on Friday, Nov. 10, at the Veterans and ROTC Lounge, Hyland Hall, first floor, the groups will co-host a Veterans Prayer Service on campus. Last month the student groups and their moderators united to prepare meals for residents of the St. Francis Commons and Community Intervention Center as part of the We Care Meal Program.
Sophomore Claudia Lopez, president of the Student Veterans Organization explained why the noon prayer service provides a meaningful opportunity for the University community.
"The Veterans Day Prayer Service allows the University community to come together in reflection and gratitude for our veterans for their honorable sacrifices. Myself and three other students will say a prayer and we will have Father James Duffy, S.J. the Superior of Campion Hall, share a reflection about his military experience. America the Beautiful will be sung and there will be food and drinks afterward," said Lopez.
Ryan Lally, president of the Tactical Fitness Club offered additional insight.
"The event is to remember those who have served and have passed away. We will be hosting the event again with SVO at 12 p.m. on Nov. 10, all are welcome to attend."
In October, the groups donated service with a smile as they prepared and delivered meals to local veterans through the We Care program. Organized through the University's Center for Service and Social Justice (CSSJ) and the Arrupe House, the program regularly invites University students to prepare 100 meals weekly for donation to those most in need in the Scranton area.
For the recent Oct. 28 We Care event, the Tactical Fitness Club and Student Veterans Organization combined efforts.
"This is the second year in a row we have put on this event with SVO, and we plan to continue for many years to come. We began movement for this event last spring and were able to pull all the pieces together and put on a successful event for the community," said Lally.
"As two of the clubs on campus, TFC and SVO, that have a heavy military participation, we were eager to be able to donate the meals to the St. Francis Commons’ Veterans as we roll into the holiday season. All our attendees were happy and grateful to be part of this event and would be ecstatic to do it again."
Lopez explained the groups' We Care activity.
"The purpose of the event was to support and show appreciation for our local community by donating 30 meals to St. Francis Commons which supports local veterans in a one-year residential program and 30 meals to the homeless day shelter in Scranton, the Community Intervention Center. It was received positively and it’s a meaningful way to give back."
Royal News spoke with Lally and Lopez as part of an occasional series of articles that spotlight clubs from the university’s 100+ student organizations on campus and offer information on how to connect with the clubs.
To suggest a club for a future Royal News article, to share ideas or to inform us of any upcoming club events, please email RoyalNews@scranton.edu or Felicia.Domiano@scranton.edu
GET INVOLVED
Club: Tactical Fitness Club
Meet: Ryan V. Lally '24, shown, a cybercrime and homeland security major from Vernon Township, New Jersey, and president of the Tactical Fitness Club
Q: What is the Tactical Fitness Club mission?
"Facilitate an environment for members of the University of Scranton to build and maintain fitness in unconventional ways."
Q: What, in your opinion, are the most exciting events or activities you present as an organization?
"Our most exciting event of the year is the Centurion Challenge, we just hosted this event a few weeks ago and had over 80 participants."
Q: Why would you recommend someone join?
"I would recommend this club to someone who is interested in new forms of fitness and meeting new people along the way."
Q: Why did you join the club?
"When I was a freshman, I had a few friends that were upperclassmen telling me about the club and how they would go on runs carrying logs with weighted vests, and I though 'I ought to try it out.' "
Q: When and where does the Tactical Fitness Organization meet?
"We do not have regular meetings scheduled; we meet periodically to discuss upcoming events when necessary."
Q: Any upcoming plans for the fall or spring semesters?
"We will be hosting a food drive and 5k in the spring to raise food and money for the community."
Shown above, members of the Tactical Fitness Club and Student Veterans Organization and their moderators united on Oct. 28 to prepare meals for residents of the St. Francis Commons and Community Intervention Center as part of the We Care Meal Program. From left: Claudia Lopez, Ryan Lally, Brianna Cahoon, Xavier Long, Stephen Wolmuth and Professor Paul Pearson, a faculty specialist in the Physics Department.
Club: Student Veterans Organization (SVO)
Meet: Claudia P. Lopez '26, shown, an information technology major from Woodbridge, Virginia and president of the Student Veterans Organization.
Club Social Media handle: @uofs_svo
Q: What is the Student Veterans Organization mission?
"Our mission is to provide a welcoming atmosphere to all military veterans through peer support, advocacy, and community involvement while upholding the Jesuit philosophy of being “men and women for others” enabling every member to succeed in higher education and beyond."
Q: What, in your opinion, are the most exciting events or activities you present as an organization?
"I truly enjoy food donation events. Not only do they serve the community, but they also foster a sense of camaraderie amongst our members. It’s heartwarming seeing the events create a positive impact on everyone."
Q: Why would you recommend someone join?
"I’d recommend anyone interested in socializing, supporting our veterans and/or participating in volunteer work to consider joining SVO. It’s open to all student veterans, ROTC, and anyone from the University Community who wants to make a difference."
Q: Why did you join the club?
"I joined the club not only because I am a veteran myself, but because I wanted to have the opportunity for a leadership role and volunteer opportunities. Additionally, I wanted to meet other student veterans like myself."
Q: Please share the format of a typical club meeting.
"We have monthly lunch meetings in the Veterans Lounge located on the first floor of Hyland Hall. We discuss ideas that we have for the club, whether its a volunteer opportunity on/off campus or supporting events. It’s a way to stay engaged and informed about our initiatives."
Q: Any upcoming plans for the fall or spring semesters?
"We’re working with Aramark on organizing a spring food donation drive (ABCD – Aramark Building Community Day) in collaboration with Wilkes University and Tactical Fitness. We’re also considering a social event with Wilkes University as well, such as bowling or paintball which will provide an opportunity for us to bond and strengthen connections between our organizations and foster camaraderie."
Q: Anything we have not asked about that you’d like to mention?
"If anyone is interested in getting in touch with us or has any questions, please feel free to reach out to me or Barbara King, our Student Veterans Organization Advisor and Student Life Coordinator via email. I can be reached at claudia.lopez@scranton.edu and Barbara King at barbara.king@scranton.edu."
