At Belhaven University, a dynamic community is flourishing, driven by the shared passion for gaming. The Belhaven Gaming Club (BUG), under the leadership of its enthusiastic president, Garrison Owens, is uniting students in a unique and engaging way. Owens, who hails from Vicksburg, Mississippi and is majoring in film production and visual art, sees BUG as more than just a club; he envisions it as a vital platform for building lasting friendships and connections among the student body. “Games are an easy way to join a group of people to become not only friends but to become a community of friends and students,” Owens explains, highlighting the club’s central mission.
A Diverse Gaming Landscape
BUG embraces a wide spectrum of gaming interests, ensuring there’s something for everyone, from casual players to competitive gamers. The club’s repertoire includes high-energy party games, intense fighting games, creative sandbox games, strategic challenges, and competitive esports titles. Students have the opportunity to compete for prizes and recognition in popular games like Rocket League, Mario Kart, and League of Legends. For those seeking a more relaxed and social gaming experience, BUG offers a variety of party games such as Wii Sports, Jackbox, Mario Party, Super Smash Bros., and of course, Minecraft. Members are actively encouraged to suggest and explore new games, keeping the club’s offerings fresh and inclusive.
Bellcraft: Recreating Belhaven in Minecraft
One of BUG’s most ambitious and exciting projects is Bellcraft, a dedicated Minecraft server that features a meticulous digital reconstruction of the Belhaven University campus. Spearheaded by Owens and significantly contributed to by vice president Lily Theisen, Bellcraft represents countless hours of dedication and collaborative effort from BUG members. This interactive server has become a major draw for the club, providing a unique space for students to connect and explore their campus virtually.
Theisen elaborates on the server’s significance, stating, “A salient part of our homegrown community is Bellcraft; the official BUG Minecraft server. We utilize Bellcraft to encourage player interaction in a casual survival game-mode, as well as promoting collaboration through the collective in-game recreation of the Belhaven campus. Our biggest project to date is the building of our beloved campus in Minecraft, and we are continuously looking for more students to help with the process.” Bellcraft serves not only as a fun gaming environment but also as a virtual embodiment of campus spirit, strengthening the bonds within the Belhaven community and especially resonating with students from areas like Vicksburg who might find a digital piece of Belhaven relatable.
Beyond Video Games: Inclusivity and Collaboration
BUG’s scope extends beyond the digital realm of video games. Recognizing the diverse gaming interests of students, the club actively collaborates with Belhaven’s tabletop and board game club, The Round Table. This partnership creates opportunities for students to enjoy both video and tabletop games together, fostering a more inclusive and comprehensive gaming community on campus. BUG’s core philosophy is rooted in inclusivity and welcomes all forms of gaming. “Any kind of game can be brought to the table as an idea. We are always looking for new games,” Owens reiterates, emphasizing the club’s openness to new ideas and interests.
Attracting Future Students and Building Community
Looking beyond the current student body, BUG aims to play a crucial role in attracting prospective students to Belhaven University. By showcasing the fun, community, and engagement that gaming offers, BUG highlights a unique and appealing aspect of university life at Belhaven. The club’s events are specifically designed to be welcoming to everyone, from experienced gamers to those who are completely new to gaming and simply looking for a fun way to connect with others.
“We want to help and work with students who love games but also those who want to learn more about them. You don’t have to have experience in it, just have fun!” Owens stresses. He further notes the potential of BUG to be “a vital way to get more students interested in not only games and community but also Belhaven University,” reinforcing the club’s strategic importance in the university’s outreach and community-building efforts, particularly for students who may be searching for a welcoming and engaging environment away from home, such as those from Vicksburg.
Exciting Events and Future Initiatives
BUG has already made a significant impact on campus. Their first major event on April 6th, featuring a wide array of gaming setups, drew a large crowd and set a positive precedent for future events. Looking ahead, BUG has ambitious plans to collaborate with the Belhaven Leadership Council (BLC) to organize a diverse range of activities aimed at engaging incoming freshmen. These planned activities include Nerf wars, Dungeons and Dragons sessions, video game nights, intramural esports leagues, and regular bi-weekly game nights, promising a vibrant and active club calendar.
With these exciting initiatives and a strong focus on community and inclusivity, the Belhaven Gaming Club is rapidly establishing itself as a significant and positive force on campus. Bellcraft, the Vicksburg Minecraft Server project, stands as a testament to their creativity and dedication, offering students a unique and engaging way to connect, have fun, and immerse themselves in the thriving world of gaming at Belhaven University.
