One of the fastest-growing student organizations on campus, Bluey Club has grown from 10 members to 130 in just one year. Miracle Schmidt, the president of Bluey Club, started the organization during the first semester of her freshman year in 2023.
“We try to create a space of welcoming and community for people who really don’t care what other people think about them, and I think that that really brings people in, especially freshmen,” Schmidt said. “It’s hard to meet people on campus, but I met so many people through Bluey my first semester. It’s just a really great space to meet people who may not be like you.”
The community that Bluey Club has fostered makes it an example of why Murray State encourages student organizations. Kade Gambill, student activities coordinator for the Center for Student Involvement, said student-run clubs are an important part of campus life.
“Student organizations are so important because they keep students involved in the community and the University,” Gambill said. “Murray State student organizations donate hundreds of thousands of dollars to local charities, complete community service hours, and provide opportunities for students to develop themselves into leaders.”
At Bluey Club, members watch episodes of the iconic Australian children’s cartoon and socialize with new friends. With the community growing rapidly, the club has moved its meetings from Franklin College to the Curris Center’s Barkley Room, which has the capacity to hold 96 people. The club has also introduced more frequent meetings that will host crafts and fun activities.
“College is really hard and that’s kind of why we created the club,” Schmidt said. “I knew that I was going to be in over my head in college so I just wanted a space for myself to have time to decompress—to not have to think about being in college. And I think that’s what brings so many people to Bluey Club; you get to forget that you’re an adult—or at least a semi-adult—for a little bit. You get to have those silly 30 minutes of watching Bluey and then you get to socialize and meet new people.”
Bluey Club has 130 members in its club GroupMe, with about 40 members who attend weekly meetings. Schmidt said she anticipates this number rising after a recent informational meeting; the Barkley room was almost full.
“I am always happy to hear of students joining together to share a mutual passion through a student organization on campus,” Gambill said. “I hope that the Bluey Club continues to grow and the Center for Student Involvement is always happy to help students promote their organizations across campus.”
For a student who wants to start their own club on campus, Gambill said there are just three steps:
“I don’t think it’s difficult to start an organization,” Schmidt said. “If you have the passion, have the drive, and you have someone like my vice president, who’s organized, and someone like me who is loud enough to bring people in, then I think you can really get something going. What it really comes down to is just having that motivation to keep the club going. And if you’ve got something good, then you can do it.”
For more information on how to start your own club, visit the Center for Student Involvement on the second floor of the Curris Center.
To join Bluey Club, check out club meetings every Thursday at 8:30 p.m. in the Barkley Room in the Curris Center.
