EB
Emma Boardman
  • Psychology
  • Class of 2013
  • Willimantic, CT

Eastern Student Emma Boardman of Willimantic Member of Pride Alliance Club

2012 Mar 23

Emma Boardman '13 of Willimantic, CT, is a member of the Pride Alliance club at Eastern Connecticut State University. Boardman's major is Psychology.

The Pride Alliance club continues to promote greater campus awareness of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities and to advocate for a safe campus environment regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity. Pride Alliance programs include speakers, public forums, visibility programs, and other activities. For example, "Ally Week" is a week-long celebration of allies of the LGBTQQPAIA community. There is at least one event every day of the week and it ends in a big celebration called "Out at Eastern," which is a mini-carnival featuring games, food and activities.

"The Show" is a fashion show for individuals who love who they are and are proud of who they are. The purpose of the show is for everyone to be a super model for the day because everyone is beautiful in their own way and everyone deserves to feel they have something to be proud of. "Love is a Drag" is a drag show held on Valentine's Day each year. It shows that gender expression does not have to stand in the way of a good time. Professionals are hired to sing and dance to show off their gender expression in a show that brings gender out into the open. "Queer Prom" is an event held each spring semester. It gives people a chance to enjoy a prom they may have missed out on in high school.

More than 30 percent of the full-time students enrolled at Eastern now participate in at least one club/organization, an increase of almost 10 percent since fall 2008. Students who participate in clubs/organizations excel in the classroom and do better academically than students who do not participate. In spring 2011, 1,345 full-time students participating in clubs had an average GPA of 3.06, much higher than the 2.84 average for those students not taking part in any of the nearly 70 clubs/organizations.

Clubs/organizations planned and implemented almost 600 events last academic year. These programs have a direct impact on the daily life of all students on Eastern's campus. The programs range from social to educational, physical to spiritual, and civic engagement programs that equally affect the community.

Eastern Connecticut State University is the state's public liberal arts university. Eastern serves approximately 5,600 students each year on its Willimantic campus and satellite locations.