By Angelia Roggie
Associate Editor
Students of all faiths are now welcome to join a new campus organization, InterVarsity.
According to the national organization’s website, “InterVarsity Christian Fellowship/USA is a vibrant campus ministry that establishes and advances witnessing communities of students and faculty.”
Steven Andrianoff, a professor of computer science, and Theodore Georgian, a professor of biology, both members of this organization when they were students at their respective colleges, helped create St. Bonaventure’s chapter of InterVarsity. The two introduced the idea to students last year and, in turn, Bonaventure students formed the group on campus and took control of its progress.
Katrina Schlum, president of InterVarsity, said she wanted to be part of the non-denominational group so she could inspire others who may or may not be Catholic to study the Bible and renew their interest in God.
“I want to encourage others to apply the Bible to everyday life and experience their faith in a new way,” Schlum, a junior bioinformatics major, said.
James Gilfert, vice president of InterVarsity, said he joined the organization because he saw the unity it could bring to students of all faiths.
“I wanted to be a part of a group of people who pray for each other and grow in their faith,” Gilfert, a sophomore biology major, said. “It’s nice to have the spiritual support of others and know you’re not alone in your faith.”
Schlum said the group plans to meet twice a week. The first meeting (Sept. 7) will include watching an online webcast, featuring a message from a prominent religious leader from the Chapel at Crosspoint, a non-denominational church located in Getzville and Lockport. The second meeting will be a student-led Bible study.
“A lot of colleges actually are taking part in this webcast,” Schlum said. “(SUNY) Fredonia, Alfred (University), St. John Fisher, Nazareth and Roberts Wesleyan all do it, so it’s something different Bonaventure students can do too.”
She said InterVarsity will also participate in monthly volunteer activities, such as working at the Sister House, visiting the Pines Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center in Olean and doing community service at the Warming House.
Gilfert said he is also planning a Kan Jam tournament, to be held on Sept. 29.
“I’m hoping it will be a real meet-and-greet opportunity for people,” he said. “I want the group to be able to gel, and not only do service projects, but fellowship and have fun as well.”
Both Schlum and Gilfert encourage all members of the campus community to experience the spiritual guidance the group can offer.
“It’s important to be around positive people to apply the basic concepts in the Bible,” Schlum said.
Schlum said her ultimate goal for InterVarsity is to show people there is more to one’s faith than going to church on Sunday.
“It’s not about religion, it’s about a relationship,” she said.
