Before the fall semester starts on Aug. 25, new students are invited to participate in Welcome Weekend, a four-day orientation program that ran Aug. 21-24 and helped students familiarize themselves with the community. The events during the weekend served as an opportunity for students to transition into the university environment and learn about the academic and social opportunities that exist at Kent State.
“Welcome Weekend is a great way for our first-year residential and commuter students to transition into Kent State’s academic and campus life,” said Josh Perkins, assistant director of Kent State’s Student Success Programs, which coordinates the program. “Our hope is that the weekend provides an array of opportunities for students to not only immerse themselves into the Kent State community, but to also get to know each other through fun activities before classes begin. Ultimately, Welcome Weekend helps facilitate an environment of connection between students, faculty and staff as we all move into the fall semester.”
Move-in day for students began on Aug. 21, with other events continuing through Aug. 24, the day before fall semester classes began.
The four-day program is a requirement for first-year students. It featured a variety of events and activities, including the Convocation where students met Kent State President Beverly Warren in the Memorial Athletic and Convocation (MAC) Center; attended a screening of The Amazing Spider-Man 2 at the Student Recreation and Wellness Center’s pool; and Discovered Downtown, which offers trolley and walking tours downtown. The weekend concluded with the annual back-to-school celebration, Blastoff, which featured hot air balloon rides, a laser light show and live music.
The activities also included a discussion on Aug. 22 of the 2014 common reading book, “The Circle,” by Dave Eggers. For more information about the 2014 common reading book, visit www.kent.edu/success/reading.
Welcome Weekend is required for all first-year students, but not all of the events were mandatory. All new students were required to attend Welcome Weekend check-in to pick up information and supplies and attend all events scheduled between 9:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 22; Saturday, Aug. 23, between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m.; and Sunday, Aug. 24, between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. Required events were indicated on the Welcome Weekend schedule.
A complete listing of events and the schedule can be found online at www.kent.edu/success/schedule.
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Photo Captions:
Top: Kent State President Beverly Warren speaks to the Class of 2018 at Freshman Convocation held in the Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center during Welcome Weekend.
Bottom: New Kent State students show support for their college as they are announced at Freshman Convocation held in the Memorial and Athletic Convocation Center.