Activities and Organizations

With over 50 clubs, activities, organizations and ministry opportunities, SAU has something for everyone.

"True religion is..." - Outreach ministries at SAU

Action Jackson – SAU students are teamed up with at-risk children from nearby Jackson in a two-on-two mentoring program. The Spring Arbor mentors spend time with the children, do activities with them, show them the love of Christ and feed into their lives.

Fusion – This inter-generational program connects SAU students with the residents of the Arbor Manor, a nearby convalescent center. The students visit with the residents, fellowship with them and organize parties for their residents.

Interfaith Shelter Ministries – Interfaith Shelter is a homeless shelter located in downtown Jackson. Spring Arbor students and staff spend one day a week serving food, visiting with the people of the shelter, lead small group fellowship and organize an annual food and clothing drive.

Mission trips – During Spring Break, handful of mission teams gear up and hit the road to minister to and serve people around the country and abroad.

Communidad Aqua Viva – This Free Methodist church for Spanish-speaking residents of the Jackson area was established in 2003 through the work of Spring Arbor students and residents of Jackson. The church offers students an opportunity to minister to the Hispanic people of Jackson as well as provide opportunities to practice speaking Spanish.

"Arbor traditions" - Annual SAU events

Arbor Games (event) – Think the Olympics, throw in some silly games, some tests of endurance, strength and coordination, complete with fun costumes and wacky team names and you’ve got a glimpse of this popular annual event at SAU.

Bandfire (event) – Every fall, members of local bands head to the top of the SAU sledding hill, stoke up the bomb fire, tune their instruments, clear their throats and compete in this local battle of the bands competition.

Block Party (event) – It’s everything you’d want from a end-of-the-summer block party, minus your mom’s potato salad. Campus members play sports, participate in fun games, grill some dogs and just enjoy being together.

Blu Butta Cafe (event) – Got a poetic streak? Have a tune you’ve been working into a song? Then we want you. The Blu Butta Café brings together a variety of artists, a collection of caffeinated beverages and some real groovy times.

Choptober Fest (event) – So you think you can saw? Prove it at Choptober Fest, a time for manliness and brute strength to have their day. Participate in an assortment of lumber jack and highlander games where it’s survival of the fittest.

Culture Fest (event) – Celebrate the American melting-pot at this celebration of diversity hosted by the staff of Lowell Hall.

Lowell Luau (event) – Aloha! Dig out the grass skirt, don the lay and do the hula at this annual Lowell Hall event.

Porchfest (event) – Quite possibly the most highly anticipated event of the year, this SNL-format variety show brings together the most (and least) talented people that SAU has to offer. Hosted by the men of Ormston Hall, this is one event you’ll remember for years to come.

Midnight Breakfast (event) – Finals got you down? Not anymore. At pumpkin hour on the day before the start of final exam week, the SAU faculty and staff serve up breakfast and deliver their own entertainment for the sleep deprived and energy deficient students.

Relay for Life (event) – After cancer hit home for SAU students when a beloved chaplain and SAU student contracted the deadly disease, Spring Arbor students and staff banded together to organize a Relay for Life event on Spring Arbor’s athletic track. This annual event now takes place every spring.

"Express yourself" - Student media

Newspaper (Crusader) – Spring Arbor students can practice their free speech and show off their writing, editing and graphic design skills by joining the Crusader, Spring Arbor’s student-led newspaper.

Yearbook (Echo) – Delivered in both a paper, as well as DVD format, this is a great opportunity for students who loved working on their school yearbooks to keep the passion going at Spring Arbor University.

Student Film Fest (event) - See our Arts at the Arbor page.

TV Show (Epic)

FM radio stations

Art shows - See our Arts at the Arbor page.

"All the world’s a stage" - Music and theater

Chapel Band

Chamber Singers

Concert Band

Concert Choir

Gospel Choir – Organized in 2000, this choir brings together a diverse set of singers and musicians to clap, shout and sing their praises to God. The group performs for area churches and every year, organizes a Gospel Fest, which is an eclectic performance featuring a wide variety of talent.

Jazz Band – All of Spring Arbor’s instrumental musicians are encouraged to try out for the Jazz Band, which performs concerts throughout the year, and organizes the annual Jazz Bash.

Music ensembles – Those gifted with musical ability are welcome to try out for a variety of musical ensembles including: Chamber Singers, Concert Band, Concert Choir and Wellspring. These groups perform throughout the year and also tour around the country.

Musicals and plays - See our Arts at the Arbor section.

Wellspring – Wellspring consists of two groups: Wellspring Gold and Wellspring Blue. These groups consist of singers and instrumental musicians that travel to camps throughout the summer, performing for the campers, helping with the camp and serving as the worship leaders. The group is highly selective and auditions are required to be a part of Wellspring.

"Grow up in the Lord" - Spiritual groups/activities

Band of Brothers (men's ministry) - Band of Brothers is a ministry for men on campus to train up to become godly fathers, husbands and leaders. They meet together every Monday night. Around 100 gather to seek God in prayer, receive a challenging message and lift each other up.

Circle of Sisters (women's ministry) - Circle of Sisters is a ministry for women on campus to take scripture to heart by meeting together every Monday night to hear a challenging message and lift up each other in prayer. Each week, over one hundred women meet for an hour to listen to a speaker hits specific topics that young women deal with and, in response, the members of the group share their burdens with one another.

Small groups – Students have lots of opportunities to join a small group, whether it’s a Bible study group, a prayer group, or accountability partners. Whatever is your need, Spring Arbor will be able to fill it.

Spiritual Life Retreat - Although students always look forward to activities like the traditional four-square tournament and the Frisbee golf competition, the real reason for the Spiritual Life Retreat is spiritual development and genuine life change. More than 150 students steal away for a weekend of games, good food and a gratifying, spiritual jumpstart to the school year. Students literally sleep outside the student development office to reserve a space for this wildly popular event.

"Practice what you preach" - Academic clubs/events

Business Coffee Club

Epsilon Chi

Highbeam

Model Arab League (event) - Model Arab League is an event sponsored through the National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations in which students learn about the politics and history of the Arab world as they study a particular Arab nation and then prepare to “represent” that nation at a mock Arab League summit. Every year, SAU sends a team to the Model Arab League convention held at a participating Michigan university.

SIFE (Students in Free Enterprise) – SIFE is an international organization that encourages students to use the skills they are developing to pursue business-related projects that will improve their respective communities. Students from a wide range of majors and academic departments participate in SIFE projects. This is sponsored through the Gainey School of Business.

Sigma Tau Delta

Social Work Club

Student Government Association (SGA)

Multicultural and International Student Organizations

Social Etiquette Dinner (event)

Discovering My Design (event)