Jimmy Ryan, a senior studying political science, was dismayed at the lack of cultural presence of the Irish on campus, especially given the background of the University. After years of immersion in Irish culture with his family, Ryan sought a means for that passion to be expressed in a student organization. This semester will see the charter of a new student organization: the Irish-American Students Guild. “I was raised celebrating my Irish heritage,” said Ryan. “Since SLU has a large Irish background, the organization will help students appreciate Irish culture.” Ryan’s friends told him of Irish student organizations at the University of Illinois and Loyola Chicago. His interest was piqued and he began planning a similar organization at SLU. Ryan’s goals for the Guild are to increase membership, get more students involved on campus and get outside sponsors interested in supporting the organization for more public events, such as a float in the city’s St. Patrick’s Day parade. You don’t have to be of Irish background to join. All that’s required is an interest in Irish heritage and a desire to celebrate aspects of a robust culture. Despite lacking official student organization status-the charter isn’t official until Nov. 8-the ISG isn’t wasting any time making its presence felt on campus. A charter dinner is planned to celebrate the official creation of the new organization. Before the holiday break, an ISG Gaelic festival is going to be held in the Busch Student Center with all proceeds and donations going to hurricane relief efforts. “We’re trying to get all of the St. Louis Irish community involved,” said Ryan. With scheduled bands, dancers, booths, vendors and, of course, food, the event will bring out the best of the SLU Irish community. For students interested in getting involved in the ISG, there will be a table in the north lobby of the BSC on Oct. 26 for student sign-up. The next Guild meeting will be held Oct. 31 in the BSC, but future meetings will be scheduled for the first Monday of each month.