GAME GURUS
GAME GURUS
While the last year has brought nothing but curve balls and challenged our usual ways, one thing has stayed constant: our thriving student culture. Neumont’s student-run clubs have consistently given our student body activities to look forward to, provided new ways of connecting with their peers, and allowing everyone the chance to have some fun–because what is college without relaxing and enjoying yourself sometimes? In our ongoing club series, we’re highlighting the Game Gurus and what their Club President, Alex McDowell, has planned for the coming year.
Alex McDowell
Alex has a passion for gaming stemming all the way back to her childhood. The Texas native has been playing video games as long as she can remember and has been hooked on Super Smash Bros. Brawl since it debuted in 2008. Her younger brother has special needs and playing video games together while growing up was their way of bonding and communicating. Her appreciation for gaming then fueled her desire to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Software & Game Development at Neumont and she intends to one day create video games specifically for children with special needs. It’s fitting that today she’s now president of one our gaming clubs on campus.
Upon starting at Neumont in 2019, Alex immersed herself in student life by attending school events and quickly began helping the already established Game Gurus club with event planning and hosting. When the role of president became available, she leapt at the position and has been leading the club since 2020.
FReX gaming event
Alex’s dorm room gaming setup
Today, Game Gurus has 85+ members and is a popular club amongst students on campus. The club hosts quarterly tournaments playing Super Smash Bros. Ultimate–a Neumont favorite–and is currently preparing for their annual gaming tournament during our upcoming FReX event. In addition, the club puts on single-game playing sessions, centered around the theme of that week’s game. Presently, Game Gurus hosts their quarterly gaming events virtually so club members and the student body can still play together, but from the comfort and safety of their own dorms.
When asked about the club’s objective within our Neumont community, Alex said, “Our club’s purpose is to bring together students who enjoy any type of gaming, creating events focused on gaming, and providing students options for unwinding from the stress of school.”
Neumont’s Bunker
Prior to the pandemic and social-distancing guidelines, the Game Gurus played in and managed Neumont’s Bunker–our basement vault-like room featuring multiple monitors, gaming consoles, couches, and tables. Although it’s currently closed due to COVID guidelines, this was most often where the club would gather for events as well as daily gaming sessions. In the future when the Bunker is open again, Alex says the club will be allocating funding to make improvements to the furniture and available tech to ensure the Bunker remains a fun place for students to enjoy on campus.
If you’re curious about joining Game Gurus, Alex ensures newcomers, “The club has a very welcoming and kind community with students who are super willing to help when we have events. I’ve also been introduced to some rather interesting and fun games since I’ve joined and it’s a nice stress reliever throughout some of the stresses of everyday life.”