Club Spotlight: Exonian Encounters
Exeter is home to students from a broad variety of socioeconomic, racial and religious backgrounds. As such a diverse campus, Exeter relies on certain organizations to help facilitate discussions about the acceptance of all types of students. One such group is the Exonian Encounters Committee (ExEn), which works to organize events embracing differences, challenging misconceptions and fostering connections with others in a respectful environment. Throughout the year, ExEn hosts movie screenings and panel discussions, and on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, ExEn organizes events that help students to recognize and examine their personal privilege.
ExEn consists of about 10-15 students led by coach Olutoyin Augustus-Ikwuakor, known to students as “Coach Toyin.” Instead of drawing huge numbers, the club tends to be a more selective group. “We act as a committee where everyone is expected to pull equal weight, as opposed to clubs with heads and members. For us it means we are closer to Harkness and collaborative work,” Augustus-Ikwuakor said.
“Even though we are all different we can all work together to benefit each other.”
Throughout the year, the club organizes events on campus that deal with students’ understandings and biases regarding topics such as race, mental health, gender issues and sexuality. One of the events last year was “Streaming Stereotypes,” in which the committee presented a compilation of clips from various media outlets and drew attention to stereotypes represented in the clips. The event was followed by a movie with a forum, where several faculty members and students presented ways to combat harmful stereotypes.
Members of the committee believe that, while they create events centered on the experiences of Exonians, they also become more aware of the differences in the community. Upper Gabby Meeks, a member of the committee, noted that being a part of ExEn has helped her recognize the unique qualities in every Exonian, and she tries to bring those qualities to light through the club’s events. “At Exeter, it’s very easy for us to get lost in the academics, and forget to acknowledge and appreciate our differences,” she said.
Lower Adrian Venzon agreed that by working to bring awareness to some of the hardships that people encounter, he has become a better listener, leader and speaker. “With ExEn’s events, we are able to make people vulnerable and more receptive to each other’s personal experiences. Working with this committee has opened my eyes up to so many different perspectives I’ve never heard before,” he said.
ExEn has taught some members how to lead discussions with an open mind. Upper Sarah Shepley mentioned that, before joining the club, she had trouble talking to friends about social justice, because she thought that “they wouldn’t listen or care.” However, she learned that this was not the case at all. “What I’ve learned from the student reactions to our events,” Shepley said, “Is that, most of the time, people want to listen and often do care, but just need to be educated about the topic; they won’t bring it up because they are either unaware of the issue or aren’t comfortable enough to bring it up in conversation.” Now, she’s at ease and “bolder” when having conversations about pressing issues.
ExEn’s main goal, however, is to eradicate biases from all corners of campus. Upper Grace Khaner, a member of the committee, said that the club does this and more. “Biases are learned, not chosen,” Khaner said. “Everyone has the capability to unlearn their biases.” Although Exeter’s community comes from all parts of the globe, and every student comes to Exeter with a different perspective—and sometimes, bias—on certain issues. In the Exonian Encounters Committee, students have the opportunity to learn from one another’s outlooks on life. As lower and committee member Lizzie Madamidola said, “Even though we are all different we can all work together to benefit each other.”