WWU Welcomes Incoming Students

7/28/2011 Mary Ann Beahon
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (573) 592-1127

 

“Plant your roots at The Woods” is the theme of this year’s orientation at William Woods University, which begins Wednesday, Aug. 17. WWU will welcome nearly 300 new students to campus.

The traditional Ivy Ceremony at 5 p.m. will highlight five days of events orienting freshmen and new students to WWU. Featuring academic sessions, advising meetings, an ice cream social, a campus scavenger hunt and fraternity/sorority recruitment, the orientation promises to be both educational and fun.
 
 “We have a full schedule of activities to welcome students and help them ease into the university life,” said Amy LaRue Dittmer, director of career services and student transition.

“We do everything we can to make our students feel comfortable and to ensure their transition is as smooth as possible.”
 
The campus will be alive with activity all day Wednesday, as freshmen and transfer students move into residence halls and, with their families, attend orientation sessions.
 
The Ivy Ceremony around Senior Lake will begin at 5 p.m. Wednesday. A campus welcome barbeque for students and their families will be held immediately after the Ivy Ceremony.
 
The Ivy Ceremony marks the start of the students’ college life. When they graduate, the ivy will be cut during another ceremony, symbolizing separation from college and the beginning of a new life. The tradition is believed to have begun more than 100 years ago when the class of 1899 planted ivy on campus during a special graduation ceremony.

Sessions during the week will provide information on academics, residential life, multicultural affairs, career services, student employment and financial aid. Information on WWU’s unique LEAD (Leading, Educating, Achieving and Developing) program of student involvement will also be provided.
 
WWU’s Peer Players will present an entertaining “Campus Life Play” Friday evening. The play aims to inform students about important issues they will face and the resources available on campus to assist them. Other Friday activities include “fun in the sun” and a social at the dock.
 
Sorority and fraternity recruitment begins at 6 p.m. Thursday and continues Friday and Saturday. Bids will be delivered Sunday, Aug. 21, to women at 7 a.m. and to men at 7:45a.m, both at McNutt Campus Center.
 
Orientation concludes Sunday night, and fall semester classes at WWU begin Monday, Aug. 22.

CUTLINES:
New students and families enjoy a barbeque in 2010.

Incoming students pose for a class photo on Senior Bridge.