Today@Sam Article

Week To Welcome New, Returning Students With Engaging Activities

Aug. 2, 2016
SHSU Media Contact: Tyler Pointer

The fall semester is just about here, and for incoming students and those returning, Sam Houston State University’s Welcome Week will be packed with events to engage the campus community.

Welcome Week has been around since the early ‘90s with the purpose of providing a memorable first week of college, according to the director for the Department of Student Activities Brandon Cooper.

“Welcome Week is our way of welcoming students to their new and temporary home,” Cooper said. “The purpose is to make sure that our students feel welcome on campus and to make connections with other Bearkats and the new family that they have here.”

WelcomeWeek16From Aug. 20-26, students can expect seven fun-filled days to begin the semester, starting with New Student Move-In on Saturday. Starting at 11 a.m., volunteers from around the university can meet new Bearkats and help them move-in to their dorms.

On Sunday, New Student Convocation will take place at the Gaertner Performing Arts Center with three different sessions to accommodate the university’s growing class sizes, followed by an evening packed with events including Sneek Peek@Greek, the VIP Night at the university bookstore, Kat Klub Bash, an SHSU women’s soccer game, and the Greek Stroll Off.

Bearkats can live up to the university’s value of service on Monday by participating in the Welcome Week Service Project at Huntsville State Park from 8:15 a.m. to 2 p.m. and then end the day with “Rec Fest” at the Recreational Sports Center at 4:30 p.m.

Students can find their classes and get to know the campus geography with the “Find Your Classes” event on Tuesday, beginning at 11 a.m. at the Lowman Student Center Fountain, and then meet up with fellow Bearkats at the “Party In the Pit,” starting at 7 p.m. in the Old Main Pit.

On Wednesday, classes begin and students can attend the “Gearing Up For College” seminar at 6 p.m. in the Student Services Annex or Casino Night, also will start at 6 p.m. in the LSC Ballroom.

Thursday’s activities will begin with Unityfest at 11 a.m. in the LSC Mall Area, followed by the “Party on the Patio,” hosted by the Student Alumni Association, at 2 p.m. at the John R. Ragsdale Visitor and Alumni-Center Patio.

In the evening, students can attend Kats Meow Karaoke at the Kat Klub, starting at 5:30 p.m., and the “Lavender Mixer” for students and faculty from the LGBT community and their supporters, starting at 6 p.m.

Welcome Week will come to a close on Friday with the Bearkat Picnic in front of Austin Hall beginning at 11 a.m., the PC Cinema at the LSC Theater at 7 p.m., and the Flag Football Tournament at Pritchett Field at 8 p.m.

The Kat Comedy Showcase will not be taking place during Welcome Week this year due to the renovations happening at Johnson Coliseum; it will be scheduled later in the school year, according to Cooper.

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