Before the fountains around the clock tower turned on for spring last week, many students asked themselves if they should risk walking on them, or walk around them and play it safe, lest the jets of water turn on suddenly.
Janelle Densberger, Coordinator of the Student Involvement Center and alumna of Saint Louis University, would probably tell students that it is much better to be safe than sorry. 
When she came as a freshman to SLU 101, Densberger made the innocent mistake of walking over the clock tower fountains, just as they turned on.
“I was totally soaked! I called my boyfriend and just said, ‘Help me!’ He brought some clothes, but I haven’t forgotten that experience,” Densberger said.
Thankfully, Densberger conquered this initial incident and remained at SLU as a communications and marketing major. Soon after graduating, she began working at SLU. Now, not only is Densberger extremely involved in everyday student life, such as overseeing the Great Issues Committee, Student Activity Board and many other CSOs, but she also helps with planning of SLU 101, the very experience during which she was soaked only a few years ago.
In her position as coordinator of Student Involvement Center, Densberger says that she loves taking her energy and using it to help her favorite aspect of the job: The students.
“It may seem tacky, but my favorite part of this job is absolutely the students. I get so motivated and energized when a student comes in to my office and has a great idea.”
Densberger guides the various inspirations of student groups into becoming reality and is a major force behind most social events at SLU. For instance, with Spring Fever coming up, she worked with the student leaders to find a solution to when the preferred band said they could not come.
“A student walked into my office and said, ‘What about a SLU Price is Right instead?’ At first, I thought it was a little bit crazy, but now we’ve worked out all the details, and it will be a unique and really fun experience,” Densberger said.
In addition to serving at SLU, Densberger has many other hobbies that keep her busy.
She enjoys spending time with her niece and nephew, scrapbooking and hanging out with her friends, both from SLU and outside her work. Also, Densberger just finished her Ph.D. in higher education and is now taking some time to explore St. Louis more.
“There are so many things for people to take advantage of in St. Louis. The Summer Concert Series at the Riverfront, movies at Grand Center,and the list goes on. Many of them are even free,” Densberger said.
For students who want to become more involved in St. Louis or SLU, Densberger has some advice.
“Take the risk. Try something different.”
“Join the organization you’ve always wondered about. Run for the leadership position even when you might be scared.”
“Take on the new initiative, and do it with gusto. You can never succeed if you are too scared to fail,” Densberger said.”
“Do what you love, and love what you do.”
