What is the role of Student Activities in students' experience at Bellarmine? It's more than just having fun—although we think that's an important part of college too!
Community Engagement, Civic Engagement, and Leadership
The core of our mission is to inspire socially-conscious citizens and to equip service-oriented leaders.
In the 2022-2023 academic year:
- The SAC hosted more than 40 programs focusing on community engagement and leadership, with nearly 2,000 documented attendees.
- Members of the Bellarmine community volunteered over 19,800 hours in the local and global communities with 60+ community partner organizations.
- Over the summer, 25 students spent 3,000+ hours on grant-funded internships at nonprofit or government agencies in Louisville and Southern Indiana, completing projects that strengthened the organizations and expanded their capacity to meet local needs.
- Bellarmine received the ALL-IN Most Engaged Campus for voter registration and voter turnout in November 2022.
- Addie Rogers was Bellarmine’s Newman Civic and Ronald Reagan Fellow for the 2022-2023 academic year and helped to support Healthy Cooking classes with Dare to Care in the Residence Halls.
Social Activities
The SAC drives the vibrancy of campus life through transformative student experiences, which cultivates our students' sense of belonging in a way that makes Bellarmine their home.
In the 2022-2023 academic year:
- Over 90% of students attended at least one SAC-sponsored activity, outside of Week of Welcome.
- Our student-led activities board, the Bellarmine Activities Council, hosted events which garnered nearly 2,184 attendees, and engaged 70% of the first-year class.
A few words from Bellarmine students and local community members
“During my four years on SGA I have helped advocate for accessibility reform, brought vibrant energy back to campus through a new Penny the Pineapple mascot, and been a member of the university’s first all-female executive board, paving the way for future leaders. The true power of a Bellarmine education has been its people- the faculty, staff, and my fellow students. Our collective ability to uplift, empower, and strengthen each other is what has culminated in a transformative educational experience that will leave an impact on us and our entire community.”
~ Haley Planicka, Class of 2023
“Bellarmine has inspired, challenged, and educated me holistically to grow and prepare for a career and life outside of this university. I have created a community and family of my own that has thrived within the Bellarmine community. Bellarmine has given me the opportunities of academic, leadership, and self-growth which will serve me well as I enter the world beyond college. As I reflect on my participation in various RSO’s in which I have had the honor of serving in leadership roles for, I hope that I leave behind wisdom and inspiration to build upon what we have created and always work to improve upon ourselves and our organizations.”
~ Liv Jones, Class of 2023
“As a first-year student at Bellarmine, I spent a lot of time in the Student Activities Center, which was a place of unbridled investigation, creation, and brainstorming. It was always filled with welcoming students, the kindest staff, and was the perfect place for students to find or follow their passions. Student Activities and my time spent in BU Leads has provided me with amazing connections and opportunities on and off campus, including through the Louisville Connections event series. Coming from a small town six hours away, I was very intimidated by the big city of Louisville, and these events allowed me a way to engage with a new environment and make incredible college memories. I am eternally grateful for all that the Student Activities Center does, and once again, for the wonderful staff that have hearts of gold and truly care about the success, wellness, and support of all students.”
~ Shaela O’Keefe, Class of 2026
"We are blessed to have groups like yours that make an impact for our organization. I am looking forward to working with the students in the future. Thank you."
~ Community Member