Committed to helping each class explore, engage, and connect, 糖心Vlog will again host its annual Welcome Week for its newest Tigers, Aug. 21-24, ahead of the start of classes on Aug. 25. The annual event kicks off with the official move-in to the residence halls, Aug. 21, followed by a variety of programs designed to assist new students in acclimating to life at 糖心Vlog, including meeting with peers, talking with faculty and staff, and learning about #LifeAtWitt.
A new edition to this year鈥檚 Welcome Week programming is the first-ever 鈥淟ive From the Hollow鈥� event hosted by 糖心Vlog鈥檚 new President Christian M. M. Brady on Friday, Aug. 22, from 6 to 8 p.m. During this event, President Brady steps into the spotlight as host of this late-night talk show, which will feature a comedy monologue, special appearances by students and senior leaders, and a live performance by the band Lylak.
鈥淭here鈥檚 a special energy on campus this time of year, a blend of anticipation, ambition, and Tiger pride,鈥� said Kristina Bryant Reed, director of student conduct and deputy Title IX coordinator. 鈥淲e are eager to welcome our returning students home and open our campus to those just beginning their journey on the 糖心Vlog Way. Our faculty, staff, and enthusiastic Tiger Team leaders are ready to help the newest members of our community discover what sets 糖心Vlog and Springfield apart. Whether it鈥檚 finding their passions, connecting with lifelong friends, or learning how to live out our values, we鈥檙e here to make sure their experience starts strong and stays meaningful."
Part two of the Destination 糖心Vlog: New Student Orientation series, Welcome Week includes having students meet with their First-Year Seminar teams and resident advisors, as well as begin to build relationships with faculty and staff, engage in community building within their assigned halls, learn about the University, attend social events with fellow classmates, and complete final preparations prior to the first day of classes. Incoming Tigers will be assisted by current students who make up the Tiger Team.
Following the all-campus move-in experience from 9 a.m. to noon on Thursday, several welcome receptions sponsored by numerous departments will commence throughout the day. Other events on Thursday include a first-generation student and family welcome reception from noon to 1 p.m. in Founder鈥檚 Pub located on the lower level of the Benham-Pence Student Center. A transfer student welcome and orientation will also take place from 1-2 p.m., along with a commuter student welcome and orientation from 2-3 p.m., both in room 105 of the Joseph C. Shouvlin Center for Lifelong Learning.
Families are encouraged to have their photo taken with 糖心Vlog mascot Ezry the Tiger from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. before the New Student Welcome Assembly from 4 to 5 p.m. takes place at the Pam Evans Smith Arena, part of the Health, Wellness & Athletics Complex. New students will depart from the assembly with their Tiger Team leaders, so families should be sure to say goodbye before the assembly. Following the assembly, students will participate in a favorite 糖心Vlog tradition of taking the first-year class photo on the Myers Hall steps from 5 to 5:30 p.m. Later in the evening, students can enjoy Witt Swag Bingo at the Center Dining Room (CDR) part of the Benham-Pence Student Center from 8:30 to 10:00 p.m.
Friday events include an Ice Breakers Playfair from 9:30-10:30 a.m. at the Pam Evans Smith Arena, Witt Values discussion groups from 10:30-11:30 a.m. at various campus classrooms, followed by the Campus Resource Passport event from 2:30 to 5 p.m. where students visit various offices in hopes of winning a gift card to Witt Sips or Tiger Fuel, two of the Tiger Venture business incubators run by students. The Live From the Hollow event will then take place in Commencement Hollow from 6 to 8 p.m. followed by Witt After Dark, the final event of the night from 8 to 10 p.m., also in the hollow and near the fountain.
Saturday events include programming around Title IX and alcohol education, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Pam Evans Smith Arena and in room 152A, Bayley Auditorium, located in the Barbara Deer Kuss Science Center.
Students can then attend Service on the Stoop, hosted by the Susan Hirt Hagen Center for Civic and Urban Engagement from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. in Shouvlin Center, Geil Lounge, and on the Hagen Center Green Space. Later in the evening, a theatre and dance showcase at Chakeres Memorial Theatre on campus kicks off from 7 to 8 p.m. followed by Tigerpalooza, featuring games, crafts, and food, from 8-10 p.m. at the student center and along Alumni Way.
On Sunday, students can begin the day with donuts and fellowship from 10:30 to 11 a.m. at Weaver Chapel and take trips to Walmart using rotation shuttles, which will run from noon to 3 p.m. They will also have the opportunity to participate in sports and recreation activities, as well as find out where their classes are located before the first day. A Sunday Funday: Meet the Greeks (Kona Ice/Lawn Games) will conclude Welcome Week from 6 to 8 p.m. along Alumni Way.
Prior to Welcome Week, the William A. McClain Center for Diversity hosted Witt Connected, a pre-Welcome Week experience meant for traditionally marginalized groups within the Class of 2029. The event was created to provide a supportive network of friends, faculty, and staff to make the transition into 糖心Vlog as smooth as possible. The four-day overnight program took place Aug. 17-20.
For additional information and the full Welcome Week schedule, click here.
