A little bit of rain on Wednesday did not stop Loreal Dolar from speaking to students about Catholic Gators. Students showed up to the Reitz Union Colonnade to learn about religious organizations despite the water that blurred and smudged the 21-year-old biology senior's fliers.
"The rain was a factor, but it was still a success," Dolar said.
About 20 religious groups had tables set up at the Religious Involvement Opportunities Fair from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
This is the first time the groups have combined to promote themselves rather than individually tabling, said Catholic Gators' campus minister Debby Cherwak.
Students, faculty and staff were invited to visit the tables and learn how they could get involved in religious groups. The Division of Student Affairs' Campus Ministry Cooperative put on the fair.
"This is a chance for all of us to be together on campus and promote ourselves," said Jeffrey Kaplan, program director of Hillel, the largest Jewish student organization at UF.
According to a 2007 UF study, teenagers who consider themselves "highly religious" are more likely to graduate from college.
"It helps ground them. When you're spiritually grounded, you're better off in every aspect of life," said Donny Dillon, campus minister of Gators for Christ.
Katie Peavler, 21, a health science senior, said she believes students can benefit academically from being involved in a religious organization.
"I can definitely see how having a purpose would help you be more successful," Peavler said.
But at the same time, it's hard to live in a college town and live a religious lifestyle, she said.
"There are so many opportunities to stray," Peavler said. "There's a lot of distractions, so it's hard to avoid things."
Dillon encouraged unsure students to give a religious group a try.
"Really give it a chance, and take advantage of the opportunity to help the world," he said.
English freshman Debbie Vazquez, 18, asks Caitanya Long, who resides in the Krishna House, about Bhakti Yoga during the Religion Fair held on the Reitz Union Colonnade on Wednesday afternoon.
