ANDERSON — Rooted in community, empowerment and spiritual life, the Black Student Association (BSA) at Anderson University continues to serve as a gathering hub that welcomes students and invites the broader campus to connect.
Based in Decker Hall, the organization provides a comfortable space for cultural connection and student support. To help build visibility and bring students together, the BSA partnered with the Campus Activities Board (CAB) in September to host a fall cookout at Smartin Courtyard, located in front of the Kardatzke Wellness Center.
The event drew a steady crowd of students who gathered for food, games, and music, highlighting an ongoing effort to unite different campus groups.
“We want to create spaces where students feel seen and connected,” said Derricka Wolfe, a senior civil and humanitarian engineering major and co-president of the BSA. Wolfe noted that collaborative events help bridge gaps between organizations and introduce new students to campus resources.
Stejean Gordon, a senior cybersecurity major and fellow BSA co-president, emphasized that the organization’s mission is focused on engagement and inclusivity.
“My role in BSA as a co-president is to plan events and put things together to make everybody more involved and show people that we’re more than just something for Black students,” Gordon said. “We’re community, and we’re welcoming of other races as well.”
Behind the scenes, student planners worked to ensure the collaboration ran smoothly. Raven Fields, a junior elementary education major and student event coordinator and helper, noted that partnering with cultural organizations lets CAB broaden its outreach.
“Working alongside the BSA gives us a wonderful opportunity to bring different student populations together and create campus-wide events that are both fun and meaningful,” Fields said.
For attendees like Leonard Rand, a senior and resident assistant in Fair Commons, the gathering’s value lay in the positive energy it created. Rand heard about the cookout through his friends who help run the BSA.
“I would just say the energy is high. You know, good vibes,” Rand said, explaining that he came out both for the food and to support his peers. For students looking to stay informed, Rand recommends following the BSA’s Instagram updates. “I’ll say that they missed out on a great time,” he added for anyone who did not attend.
Administrative support remains a key pillar in the BSA’s ongoing development. Brian Martin, dean of spiritual and intercultural life at Anderson University, highlighted the deeper purpose behind supporting student-led intercultural initiatives. Martin explained that these campus communities help students build essential interpersonal skills for the future.
“So that when they go into the workforce, they’ll feel comfortable about interacting with students or co-workers who are different from them so that they can be better reflecting, I think, of God’s love and showing appreciation for all human beings,” Martin said.
As the semester continues, student leaders invite anyone interested in learning more about campus life and upcoming events to visit the BSA space in Decker Hall or connect through campus offices.