Founded in 2021 by students in the Professional and Public Writing (P2W) major at Michigan State University, the P2W Club offers its members a space to connect, grow as scholars, and relax with peers.
After going through hardship due to leadership struggles, losing their registered student organization (RSO) status, and a loss of direction, the club faced a crossroads and was under threat of ending altogether.
Conner Larsen, a student leader and songwriter in the P2W program, joined the club his first year at MSU as a way to get involved and make connections with his peers. With encouragement from his family, friends, and peers, he stepped into the role of president. He currently is working to rejuvenate the club and turn it back into a welcoming space for students within the P2W program to connect and grow.
While the club is still in its early stages of rebirth, the goals are simple: increase membership, host workshops on what people want to learn and do, help people understand writing, and show how the Professional and Public Writing major prepares students for work beyond MSU. Some of the personal goals Larsen had with the meetings were to create an inclusive space for discussion where everyone could feel welcome, share their experiences with writing, and learn new skills and techniques every week.
“I really wanted to shift more into discussions rather than lectures to get people involved,” Larsen said. “I want everyone to bring their own piece of the puzzle.”
Meeting topics range from freedom of speech discussions about authorship and how it differs when entities like corporations are authors, software workshops teaching people how to use the Adobe Creative Suite, and other workshops focused on creative writing-related topics, like poetry and fiction.
The P2W Club holds meetings every Thursday at 6 p.m. in 317 Bessey Hall, as well as monthly events where students can strengthen their writing, support their peers, and work with others on projects and assignments.
To learn more about the P2W Club or to get involved, check out the club’s Instagram page @p2wclubmsu or email them at p2wclubmsu@gmail.com.
By Nathaniel Weeldreyer
