Welcome Back Students.....
After a week of New Student Orientation for incoming freshmen, the rest of the University population moved in over the weekend and are enjoying their first week of classes. We’re thrilled to have everyone back safe and sound, and wish everyone a successful and challenging year.
Since returning sophomores, juniors, and seniors missed it, here’s a little review of the 2006 version of New Student Orientation (NSO). Remember what it was like for you……
Moving in is always interesting. Tuesday was about registration, moving into the dormitories, meeting the NSO steering committee, a picnic with parents, and mom and dad leaving. Who is your roommate? Will you like him or her? Where will you put all of your stuff???
It’s not easy for parents either; after all, what are they going to do with all the extra space in the house? Here a mother and father store away memories at the President’s Picnic before leaving for home.
Wednesday, students began to make friends and settled in a little with campus-wide games
The new freshmen received their beanies and started collecting autographs as they met new friends.
Thursday, students didn’t know what to expect after breakfast. They were just told to wear their grubbies and be prepared for anything. “The Game� that followed was the ultimate icebreaker, as teams competed in separate groups in swimming pools filled with paint. Contestant, Matt Ramey, gets the red pool.
As the event progresses, the paint runs together and the students all wear one color (which bears a striking similarity to HSU purple). The analogy wasn’t lost on the freshmen, whose differences and backgrounds were becoming less visible as the event wore on.
The theme for the week was "Super Heros." Freshmen were divided into super hero groups and had to come up with a cheer, sign, and personality to match. The group, "Captian America" got right into it.
Later, small groups of students gathered at the homes of faculty and staff for desert parties, and learned that university employees are just normal people who are here to help. Talk among the groups varied. The group visiting our house talked about expectations, fears, adjustment, “will I make it in college,� you know, the normal things. The group pictured below met at the Harden family home.
Later students saw a film at the Paramount Theater, then adjourned to Mr. Gattis for games until midnight.
If anything brings people together, it’s work. Saturday was a day of community service as students hauled off refuse and helped clean neighborhoods in the HSU area. We don’t have totals for this year yet, but last year’s class removed over 41 tons of garbage from neighborhood yards and empty lots.
Sunday, groups had breakfast with representatives of local churches in the Nix parking lot before heading out to worship at with the congregation of their choice. All in all a good week.
1 Comment
Kecia Ashford writes:
As I look at these photos, I can feel myself getting younger. :) The faces of the parents say it all. A time of new beginnings, some hesitations, but excitement for the many blessings (and adventures) that will come to our newest HSU family! LOVE the photo of the student in the paint pool. My goodness. I think I'd send a copy home to Mom and Dad. It will probably hang in the living room. LOL
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