{"id":16475,"date":"2024-04-22T11:27:51","date_gmt":"2024-04-22T15:27:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/?p=16475"},"modified":"2024-04-24T13:02:35","modified_gmt":"2024-04-24T17:02:35","slug":"club-huge-success","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/blog\/club-huge-success\/","title":{"rendered":"Eckerd College student turns club into huge success"},"content":{"rendered":"[vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extraa-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][image_with_animation image_url=”16497″ image_size=”full” animation_type=”entrance” animation=”Fade In” animation_easing=”default” animation_movement_type=”transform_y” hover_animation=”none” alignment=”” img_link_large=”yes” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”skip-lazy-load” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default”][vc_column_text css=”” text_direction=”default”]Students in the Marine Life Adventure Society, a club founded by Ben Brust ’24 (back row, fourth from left), head into the Gulf of Mexico on a charter boat.<\/em>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”full_width_content” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” shape_type=”” gradient_type=”default”][vc_column column_padding=”padding-2-percent” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”right” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text]\n

Ben Brust needed to come up with something. When his plan to lead a small group of Eckerd College student volunteers to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium<\/a> didn\u2019t come together because of pandemic restrictions at the time, he got creative.<\/h3>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”full_width_content” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” top_padding=”48″ bottom_padding=”32″ text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” advanced_gradient_angle=”0″ overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” shape_type=”” gradient_type=”default”][vc_column column_padding=”padding-2-percent” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”right” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”2\/3″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” column_padding_type=”default” gradient_type=”default”][vc_column_text css=”” text_direction=”default”]And although he didn\u2019t know it then, he was on his way to creating something so big it would include nearly a third of the Eckerd student population.<\/p>\n

It was the spring of 2021, and Ben was a first-year environmental studies<\/a> student at Eckerd. \u201cAs an alternative, I figured it would be fun to do a trip with students\u2014an exploration really\u2014each weekend, focusing on marine animals,\u201d Ben explains. \u201cOur first trip was to Weeki Wachee Springs. We carpooled there and kayaked up the river. We had a great time. There were 24 students, many of whom I had met during Autumn Term<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n

And so began the Marine Life Adventure Society<\/a>, an organization Ben launched<\/a> that now has more than 600 names on its email list and is one of Eckerd\u2019s most popular student clubs. \u201cIt all just fell into place,\u201d he says with a grin. \u201cI would love to figure out how.\u201d<\/p>\n

Even though he grew up nowhere near an ocean in Reno, Nevada, \u201cI was always interested in whales and dolphins,\u201d Ben says. \u201cI was really lucky to grow up super close to Lake Tahoe, so I got to visit there every so often. I found out about Eckerd College, and it was a perfect fit. It\u2019s a place where I can pursue my passion for marine science and meet so many people who have the same passion I do.\u201d[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” top_margin_tablet=”32″ column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/3″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” column_padding_type=”default” gradient_type=”default”][image_with_animation image_url=”16492″ image_size=”full” animation_type=”entrance” animation=”None” animation_movement_type=”transform_y” hover_animation=”none” alignment=”” img_link_large=”yes” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default”][divider line_type=”No Line” custom_height=”16″][vc_column_text]Walking through the forest on the way to Buford Spring; photo by Kionna Bright ’25<\/em>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”full_width_content” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” top_padding=”32″ text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” advanced_gradient_angle=”0″ overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” shape_type=”” gradient_type=”default”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”right” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” column_padding_type=”default” gradient_type=”default”][image_with_animation image_url=”16493″ image_size=”full” animation_type=”entrance” animation=”None” animation_movement_type=”transform_y” hover_animation=”none” alignment=”” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default”][divider line_type=”No Line” custom_height=”16″][vc_column_text]Exploring a rocky island on a trip to Key West; photo by Manu Sarassa ’24<\/em>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”full_width_content” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” top_padding=”48″ bottom_padding=”32″ text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” advanced_gradient_angle=”0″ overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” shape_type=”” gradient_type=”default”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”right” left_margin=”0″ column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” column_padding_type=”default” gradient_type=”default”][vc_column_text css=”” text_direction=”default”]The club now offers students about six day trips and one overnight trip per semester to places from Key West to Jupiter to Crystal River. The objective, Ben says, is to encourage students to talk about what they learn on the trip, share their passion for nature and conservation, and \u201cjust have fun playing games around the campfire and becoming friends. It\u2019s a bonding experience.\u201d<\/p>\n

The cost to students is about $20 to $30 for a day trip and about $150 per person for an overnighter. The club also receives funding provided by the Eckerd College Organization of Students<\/a>. \u201cThe money is put toward hiring charters, renting kayaks and keeping student payments down,\u201d Ben explains.<\/p>\n

The club sends out a sign-up email with trip details, then Ben makes booking arrangements. \u201cIt\u2019s mostly different people every time,\u201d he says. \u201cWe average about 20 to 30 students per trip.\u201d[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”full_width_content” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” top_padding=”32″ text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” advanced_gradient_angle=”0″ overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” shape_type=”” gradient_type=”default”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”right” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” column_padding_type=”default” gradient_type=”default”][image_with_animation image_url=”16495″ image_size=”full” animation_type=”entrance” animation=”None” animation_movement_type=”transform_y” hover_animation=”none” alignment=”” img_link_large=”yes” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default”][divider line_type=”No Line” custom_height=”16″][vc_column_text css=”” text_direction=”default”]Watching a nesting leatherback on one of the club trips; photo by Ben Brust ’24<\/em>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”full_width_content” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” top_padding=”48″ text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” advanced_gradient_angle=”0″ overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” shape_type=”” gradient_type=”default”][vc_column column_padding=”padding-2-percent” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” el_class=”lg_text” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” column_padding_type=”default” gradient_type=”default”][vc_column_text css=”” text_direction=”default”]The Marine Life Adventure Society partners with kayak and charter boat vendors, along with the Georgia Aquarium<\/a>, the Florida Aquarium<\/a> and the Marine Megafauna Foundation<\/a>. Students also have worked with Sea Turtle Oversight Protection<\/a> in Broward County to assist in sea turtle hatchling conservation.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”full_width_content” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” top_padding=”32″ bottom_padding=”32″ text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” advanced_gradient_angle=”0″ overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” shape_type=”” gradient_type=”default”][vc_column column_padding=”padding-2-percent” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”right” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”2\/3″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” column_padding_type=”default” gradient_type=”default”][vc_column_text css=”” text_direction=”default”]How does he manage to do all this while carrying a full course load? \u201cIt seemed overwhelming at first,\u201d he answers. \u201cBut I\u2019ve been able to find a way to bring it all together. And that\u2019s because I have a lot of help from all my friends. All of the students make the club what it is.\u201d<\/p>\n

Aside from a few dead car batteries, the worst thing that happened was a student became ill while the group was visiting the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta. \u201cI went with her in the ambulance to the hospital, and her mom came to pick her up. I saw the student in the cafeteria a couple of days later and she was fine.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s final trip before he graduates will be to Cedar Key on May 5. \u201cIt was the last trip my freshman year too,\u201d he says. \u201cIt\u2019s my favorite place in Florida. We\u2019ll leave early in the morning and spend a really relaxing day exploring the islands nearby. And the stargazing up there is really good because it\u2019s so remote.\u201d<\/p>\n

After Ben graduates on May 19, the club will be led by Katie Milano, a junior environmental studies student from Groton, Massachusetts. \u201cI\u2019ve been helping Ben run this club since freshman year, so to see where it started and what it\u2019s become has been incredible,\u201d Katie says. \u201cOne thing about Ben that has stood out to me was how excited he would be for members to experience our trips and to see things they\u2019ve never seen before.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” top_margin_tablet=”32″ column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/3″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” column_padding_type=”default” gradient_type=”default”][image_with_animation image_url=”16494″ image_size=”full” animation_type=”entrance” animation=”None” animation_movement_type=”transform_y” hover_animation=”none” alignment=”” img_link_large=”yes” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default”][divider line_type=”No Line” custom_height=”16″][vc_column_text]Club member Abby O’Donnell ’24 and a bull shark on a shark tagging expedition. Taken by Hallie Cowan ’24<\/em>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”full_width_content” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” top_padding=”32″ text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” advanced_gradient_angle=”0″ overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” shape_type=”” gradient_type=”default”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”right” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” column_padding_type=”default” gradient_type=”default”][image_with_animation image_url=”16496″ image_size=”full” animation_type=”entrance” animation=”None” animation_movement_type=”transform_y” hover_animation=”none” alignment=”” img_link_large=”yes” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default”][divider line_type=”No Line” custom_height=”16″][vc_column_text css=”” text_direction=”default”]A shark encounter during a deepwater swim; photo by Katie Milano ’25<\/em>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”full_width_content” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” top_padding=”48″ text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” advanced_gradient_angle=”0″ overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” shape_type=”” gradient_type=”default”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”right” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” column_padding_type=”default” gradient_type=”default”][vc_column_text css=”” text_direction=”default”]\u201cThis club means the world to me,\u201d Katie adds. \u201cI\u2019ve gotten to do things I never thought I would and met some of my closest friends through this club. It\u2019s an amazing way for students to get off campus and explore Florida. I\u2019ve been representing the club at the last two Explore Eckerd<\/a> club fairs, and many incoming freshmen have expressed a lot of interest and excitement about joining our club, with a lot of them already following us on Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt will be strange without Ben,\u201d she adds, \u201csince we\u2019ve been working together for so long, but I\u2019ve got a great group of people going into next year, and I\u2019m planning on getting more underclassmen involved as well. I want to make sure that the club lives on after I graduate next year and keeps the spirit of the club going.\u201d<\/p>\n

Antonia Krueger, Ph.D.<\/a>, visiting assistant professor of theatre<\/a> at Eckerd and the club\u2019s adviser, says Ben and several of the founding members of the club decided to name the club Marine Life Adventure Society \u201cpartly as a nod to Wes Anderson\u2019<\/span>s film The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou<\/em> and the joy of exploring sea life and varied locations together. They even considered ordering red knit caps in honor of the film\u2019<\/span>s tribute to Jacques Cousteau.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”full_width_content” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” top_padding=”32″ text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” advanced_gradient_angle=”0″ overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” shape_type=”” gradient_type=”default”][vc_column column_padding=”padding-2-percent” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” el_class=”lg_text” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” column_padding_type=”default” gradient_type=”default”][vc_column_text css=”” text_direction=”default”]\u201cBen\u2014who exemplifies a liberal arts student<\/a> with his balanced talent and interest in science, the arts and business\u2014has found a way to combine all three with this club that has brought joy to many Eckerd students during his time here,\u201d Krueger says.
\n<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”full_width_content” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” top_padding=”32″ text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” advanced_gradient_angle=”0″ overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” shape_type=”” gradient_type=”default”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”right” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” column_padding_type=”default” gradient_type=”default”][vc_column_text]What\u2019s next for Ben? He plans to attend flight school to become an airline pilot. Once again, he\u2019ll be taking people on trips. \u201cI\u2019m fully confident about next year,\u201d he says. \u201cKatie was on the club\u2019s first trip, and she\u2019ll be great.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMy worry is how much I\u2019m going to miss the trips and the College.”<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

[vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extraa-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default”…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":130,"featured_media":16497,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[161,159,84],"tags":[1208,435],"class_list":{"0":"post-16475","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-student-life","8":"category-students","9":"category-sustainability","10":"tag-adventure-society","11":"tag-antonia-krueger"},"yoast_head":"\nEckerd College student turns club into huge success - News | Eckerd College<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/blog\/club-huge-success\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Eckerd College student turns club into huge success\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"News | Eckerd College\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/blog\/club-huge-success\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"News | Eckerd College\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2024-04-22T15:27:51+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2024-04-24T17:02:35+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"http:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/51\/2024\/04\/image-1.jpeg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1547\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1031\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Tom Zucco\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Tom Zucco\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"10 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.eckerd.edu\\\/news\\\/blog\\\/club-huge-success\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.eckerd.edu\\\/news\\\/blog\\\/club-huge-success\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Tom Zucco\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.eckerd.edu\\\/news\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/e4f374512cebfaf0e80743ab22a7f66d\"},\"headline\":\"Eckerd College student turns club into huge success\",\"datePublished\":\"2024-04-22T15:27:51+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2024-04-24T17:02:35+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.eckerd.edu\\\/news\\\/blog\\\/club-huge-success\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":3852,\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.eckerd.edu\\\/news\\\/blog\\\/club-huge-success\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.eckerd.edu\\\/news\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/51\\\/2024\\\/04\\\/image-1.jpeg\",\"keywords\":[\"adventure society\",\"Antonia Krueger\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Student Life\",\"Students\",\"Sustainability\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.eckerd.edu\\\/news\\\/blog\\\/club-huge-success\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.eckerd.edu\\\/news\\\/blog\\\/club-huge-success\\\/\",\"name\":\"Eckerd College student turns club into huge success - News | Eckerd College\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.eckerd.edu\\\/news\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.eckerd.edu\\\/news\\\/blog\\\/club-huge-success\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.eckerd.edu\\\/news\\\/blog\\\/club-huge-success\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.eckerd.edu\\\/news\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/51\\\/2024\\\/04\\\/image-1.jpeg\",\"datePublished\":\"2024-04-22T15:27:51+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2024-04-24T17:02:35+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.eckerd.edu\\\/news\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/e4f374512cebfaf0e80743ab22a7f66d\"},\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.eckerd.edu\\\/news\\\/blog\\\/club-huge-success\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.eckerd.edu\\\/news\\\/blog\\\/club-huge-success\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.eckerd.edu\\\/news\\\/blog\\\/club-huge-success\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.eckerd.edu\\\/news\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/51\\\/2024\\\/04\\\/image-1.jpeg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.eckerd.edu\\\/news\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/51\\\/2024\\\/04\\\/image-1.jpeg\",\"width\":1547,\"height\":1031,\"caption\":\"Large group of students on a boat heading away from shore\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.eckerd.edu\\\/news\\\/blog\\\/club-huge-success\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.eckerd.edu\\\/news\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Eckerd College student turns club into huge success\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.eckerd.edu\\\/news\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.eckerd.edu\\\/news\\\/\",\"name\":\"News | Eckerd College\",\"description\":\"Newsroom at Eckerd College\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.eckerd.edu\\\/news\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.eckerd.edu\\\/news\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/e4f374512cebfaf0e80743ab22a7f66d\",\"name\":\"Tom Zucco\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/e95b572fd764b73d09a73a51bd8ff41d76bbc23aa5d35c272f0c61a36265fc19?s=96&d=blank&r=g\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/e95b572fd764b73d09a73a51bd8ff41d76bbc23aa5d35c272f0c61a36265fc19?s=96&d=blank&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/e95b572fd764b73d09a73a51bd8ff41d76bbc23aa5d35c272f0c61a36265fc19?s=96&d=blank&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Tom Zucco\"}}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Eckerd College student turns club into huge success - News | Eckerd College","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/blog\/club-huge-success\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Eckerd College student turns club into huge success","og_description":"News | Eckerd College","og_url":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/blog\/club-huge-success\/","og_site_name":"News | Eckerd College","article_published_time":"2024-04-22T15:27:51+00:00","article_modified_time":"2024-04-24T17:02:35+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1547,"height":1031,"url":"http:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/51\/2024\/04\/image-1.jpeg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Tom Zucco","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Tom Zucco","Est. reading time":"10 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/blog\/club-huge-success\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/blog\/club-huge-success\/"},"author":{"name":"Tom Zucco","@id":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/#\/schema\/person\/e4f374512cebfaf0e80743ab22a7f66d"},"headline":"Eckerd College student turns club into huge success","datePublished":"2024-04-22T15:27:51+00:00","dateModified":"2024-04-24T17:02:35+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/blog\/club-huge-success\/"},"wordCount":3852,"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/blog\/club-huge-success\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/51\/2024\/04\/image-1.jpeg","keywords":["adventure society","Antonia Krueger"],"articleSection":["Student Life","Students","Sustainability"],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/blog\/club-huge-success\/","url":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/blog\/club-huge-success\/","name":"Eckerd College student turns club into huge success - News | Eckerd College","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/blog\/club-huge-success\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/blog\/club-huge-success\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/51\/2024\/04\/image-1.jpeg","datePublished":"2024-04-22T15:27:51+00:00","dateModified":"2024-04-24T17:02:35+00:00","author":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/#\/schema\/person\/e4f374512cebfaf0e80743ab22a7f66d"},"breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/blog\/club-huge-success\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/blog\/club-huge-success\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/blog\/club-huge-success\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/51\/2024\/04\/image-1.jpeg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/51\/2024\/04\/image-1.jpeg","width":1547,"height":1031,"caption":"Large group of students on a boat heading away from shore"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/blog\/club-huge-success\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Eckerd College student turns club into huge success"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/","name":"News | Eckerd College","description":"Newsroom at Eckerd College","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/#\/schema\/person\/e4f374512cebfaf0e80743ab22a7f66d","name":"Tom Zucco","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/e95b572fd764b73d09a73a51bd8ff41d76bbc23aa5d35c272f0c61a36265fc19?s=96&d=blank&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/e95b572fd764b73d09a73a51bd8ff41d76bbc23aa5d35c272f0c61a36265fc19?s=96&d=blank&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/e95b572fd764b73d09a73a51bd8ff41d76bbc23aa5d35c272f0c61a36265fc19?s=96&d=blank&r=g","caption":"Tom Zucco"}}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16475","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/130"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=16475"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16475\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":16535,"href":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16475\/revisions\/16535"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/16497"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=16475"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=16475"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.eckerd.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=16475"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}