Members of W Club visit local children’s center

The W Club will host a Homecoming lunch this week for the current members as part of Homecoming week festivities.

Founded in 1920 by Daisy McQuigg-Sewell, wife of then ACU President Jesse P. Sewell, the club’s primary focus was to function as a catalyst to create an atmosphere of spiritual one-ness among women at Abilene Christian University. Inez Norton served as the club’s inaugural President.

W Club chaplain Sara Broughton, said, “The club is compared to a sorority but is more like a community of girls.”

The club’s colors are red for courage and white for purity. The members live by Proverbs 31:10 which reads:

A worthy woman who can find? For her price is far above rubies.

Each year in the fall, there is an induction ceremony to welcome new members, with Chapel every Thursday from 11-11:30 a.m. Once a month a luncheon is held during Chapel to maintain amity among members. Broughton said the club is “a genuine community of girls who grow together academically, socially and spiritually.”

W Club hosts various functions throughout the year to help the community. They hold a sock drive to donate to local children, as well as an Angel Tree event in December where they sponsor a random local girl and members bring in money or gifts.

The “Silver Tea” event, in April, nominates a Women’s Faculty of The Year. The awarded member delivers a speech in an event with finger foods and pictures taken. The W Club Retreat, held every spring, serves as a getaway where the members watch movies and hold worship time, complete with prayer stations.

Officers are elected every Spring.  The current W Club officers are:

Rachel Melton, president and senior Biology major from Hutto.

Nicole Araujo, vice president and senior communication disorders major from Parker, Colo.

Natalie Ruiz, treasurer and junior communication disorders major from Austin.

Emily White, secretary and senior communication disorders major from Quartz Hill, Calif.

Ashleigh Stowers, historian and junior special education major from San Antonio.

Sara Broughton, chaplain and elementary education major from Allen.

W Club sponsors are Dr. Rebecca Hunter and Dr. Diana Flanagan.

Prerequisites for membership are at least a 3.5 GPA, invitation by the President by e-mail, and a classified sophomore or above.

Members are invited to attend Chapel, where the purpose of the club is explained along with an introduction of the officers. After induction, they are invited to a ceremony and receive a W Club T-Shirt. Dues are $25 for the whole year.