You’re never too old for a Disney movie.
At least that’s the philosophy behind Hillsdale’s new club, Ears to Disney. Holding weekly film screenings at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesdays in the basement of Lane Hall and hosting other events throughout the year, the organization hopes to “spread Disney cheer,” club President sophomore Meghan Perks said.
Treasurer sophomore Karl Berg agreed.
“I think it’s a way for people to sort of relax and sort of step back to that child-like default,” Berg said. “There’s something nostalgic about Disney movies. You formed those memories as a kid. It’s nice to tap into that again.”
Vice President sophomore Rachel Watson and Perks have discussed creating a Disney club on campus since November, suggesting the name Oozma Kappa in honor of the fake fraternity from Disney and Pixar’s “Monsters University.”
Over 20 students attended the club’s screening of that flick Sept. 14.
“The whole of last year basically it was just this idea we had in our mind like what Disney had drawing Mickey Mouse the first time, a little idea,” Perks said.
Due to concerns over copyrights and a “specialized” title coming from a sequel film made with Pixar, the team looked elsewhere for a name, Watson said.
Perks’ mother, a “super hardcore fan” like her daughter and a previous Disney employee, suggested the name Ears to Disney.
“Like here’s to Disney. We want our club to not just be, ‘Let’s watch movies.’ We want it to kind of be a tribute to Walt’s vision as well,” Perks said. “We really thought he had a lot of great ideas, a lot of great plans. He was also just a great American. We think that fits with Hillsdale as well. It’s not just to watch movies. It’s also to Disney and his legacy.”
The year is split into quarters with a certain theme of movie for each, such as classic Disney movies or animals, according to Perks.
Beyond videos, however, the club has begun working with the GOAL program Adopt-A-Grandparent to schedule a visit to an elderly community for a showing of a classic Disney movie with the folks there.
Additionally, the group is planning a movie night specifically for professors’ kids to give the parents a night of their own.
On a larger scale, the club will work to raise money to donate to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, which frequently provides children with severe illnesses and disabilities the opportunity to travel to Disney parks. To do so, the club officers plan to host a Disney dance party.
“Next semester, we have something called the Waltz — like Walt Disney with a Z at the end,” Perks said.
While any and all are encouraged to come to the club’s events at any time, those who are interested may pay $3.50 for the year to be a part of the “royal guest” membership.
“The significance of that is that was the original admissions price into Disneyworld,” Treasurer Karl Berg said.
The dues cover snacks, refreshments, and other club costs but also allow students to be a part of its Facebook page, providing them access to vote on which movie will be shown at the next meeting.
Having a way to count membership will also help the group in reaching some of its future goals.
One is to develop a relationship between Hillsdale College and the Disney Company to set up an internship program with each other.
“A lot of other college campuses throughout the United States have official college internship programs with Disney Company, so we kind of want the same thing,” Perks said.
Disney’s program is the third best internship in the country, according to USA Today.
Ultimately, the club’s goal is to provide an outlet for students to both relax and share their creativity.
“The whole idea behind this club is imagination is alive, and we really want to share that sense of imagination with the campus,” Perks said. “I’m really excited to see where the imagination of this campus takes it and to see how many people we can influence, not just catch the references I will inevitably make, but using Disney to broaden our horizons.”
