Jordan Isbell
Fellowship, driven by a shared interest in automobiles, is at the heart of Ole Miss’s Car Club.
Formed during the fall 2023 semester, the club meets biweekly on Wednesdays from 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the South Campus Recreation Center parking lot. Members present their vehicles and converse with each other, occasionally helping one another with car issues too. Car lovers and people who are interested in the community frequently attend the meetings. A popular interest, the club has been well received.
Freshman Casey Castaldo, a computer science major, is president of the club which draws a diverse array of vehicles and vehicle owners alike.
“We have muscle cars, lifted trucks, Japanese cars, German vehicles, people who build their cars for racetracks, people who’ve installed custom sound systems in their rides, and people who are interested in the hobby and want to learn what it’s all about,” Castaldo said.
He encourages even those without cars to come to the meetings—without a parking spot on campus this semester, Castaldo does not have a vehicle in town himself.
“I’m riding a bicycle this semester because I was unable to secure a parking spot,” Castaldo said. “I am the President of the Car Club, and I do not have a car with me. That should sway skeptical people to join.”
Katie Corson, a freshman business major, says that community is what drives the club’s appeal.
“A bunch of cars come up, everybody takes pictures, and we all hang out talking about cars, and it’s not always car-specific conversations,” Corson said. “ Honestly, it’s just a big community. Whether we’re talking about or learning about cars, it’s something really nice to have, so it’s just a really big family.”
Many members have had a passion for cars since early childhood and are committed to creating a community where students, regardless of their expertise in vehicles, are welcomed. In addition to vehicular spectacle and conversation, students take the time to offer mechanical help and advice towards other members who want their vehicles fixed and looked at.
“I’ve heard stories of members assisting other students on campus with flat tires, oil changes, and doing diagnostics on students’ vehicles before they bring them to mechanics in town,” Castaldo said. “I’m happy we do this, as our club is able to share our passion and knowledge with others, and hopefully save them some money on potentially expensive repairs from a mechanic.”
Freshman criminal justice major Charles Evans is one of those students and car club members who was there to offer a helping hand.
“A few weeks before we got out for break, a girl called Casey and said she had a flat tire, asking for help,” Evans said. “ We went up to the parking tower, and with the assistance of another member of our club, we helped swap the flat for a temporary spare so she could make it to a dealership and get it replaced.”
With one semester under its belt, the club has seen impressive attendance and continues to grow.
“When I joined, I thought it was going to be maybe 10 to 20 people, but it turned into something a lot bigger than that,” Corson said. “I’m hoping that during the second semester, even more people will start coming.”
Car Club aims to enter this semester with future plans to further develop their car enthusiasm across campus, welcoming anyone along the way. Starting off as an interest group, the organization continues to prioritize the necessities of its students to create a community fueled by engines and engagement.
“At this point, we want the club to become what our fellow students want it to be,” Castaldo said. “ If you have an idea for an event, a long-term plan, or something you’d like to see happen in the local car community, we want to hear from you.”
