Tuesday, July 26, 2005
Welcome Week
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Find your classes before the first day of the semester! Get a preview of what Evansville pizza makers have to offer! A big welcome designed to help new students embrace all aspects of the college experience is in store August 25-3l during Welcome Week. The Welcome Week schedule includes informational meetings and activities to acquaint students with the campus and academic expectations as well as a host of recreational and social activities that will help new students meet people and get involved on campus. Glynn Allen, a junior from Indianapolis who is majoring in social work, is among AMIGOs who will be assisting with Welcome Week activities. Allen said, “Since I decided to skip Welcome Week when I came in as a freshman, I missed a lot of vital information. My first time to attend was when I became an AMIGO. After I saw the fun that USI provided for first-year students, I wished I had attended. I express to all incoming students, as well as parents, to come and join the activities during Welcome Week.” AMIGO Jeanette Schafer, a sophomore with a double major in nursing and Spanish, attended Welcome Week activities last fall as an incoming freshman. “Welcome Week is a wonderful experience in which you can meet all kinds of new people, learn your way around the University, and get to know your new roommates,” said Schafer, who is from LaPorte, Indiana. “It was a great experience for me and my new roommates. We were able to participate in several activities together and get to know each other better.” New students should register for Welcome Week at www.usi.edu/welcomeweek by August 19. A complete Welcome Week schedule is available online. David Duvall, assistant director for student development programs, listed some of the major events: USI Eagle Roundup 5 p.m.-7 p.m., August 25, University Center Students attend the USI Eagle Roundup barbecue dinner for free. Family members and other guests pay $6 each. This event is a good opportunity to meet other students and alumni. Reservations are required. Sign up on the Welcome Week registration form. The USI Alumni Association sponsors this picnic. Convocation 9:30 a.m., August 26, Physical Activities Center Just as Commencement marks the successful completion of a college career, Convocation is the official welcome and induction of new freshmen and transfer students into the University community. USI vice presidents and deans will be present in full academic regalia. Brad Ellsworth, sheriff of Vanderburgh County and a 1981 USI graduate in sociology, will speak. Students will receive a small gift commemorating the beginning of their college experience. Evansville Pizza Taste Test 5:30 p.m., August 26, Broadway Fields Complex Pizza vendors catering to the USI campus bring samples to the Evansville Pizza Taste Test. Students try the pizza for free. Then when the first pizza craving of the semester hits them, students know where they want to place an order. The taste test event precedes kickball and other recreational activities at the Broadway Fields Complex. Schafer said the pizza sampling was one of the most popular events last fall during Welcome Week. “It was all the free pizza I could try and an opportunity to receive coupons for great deals from the pizza places!” she said. “The pizza taste test most certainly gets the greatest turnout, so there are plenty of people to meet there!” Eagle Extravaganza 8 p.m., August 27, University Center The Eagle Extravaganza evening of activities includes karaoke, a USI version of Hollywood Squares sponsored by the Activities Programming Board, a nine-hole putt-putt golf course, a video game tournament, the USI Live Request Dance in Carter Hall, and much more. Spike and Hammer 8 p.m., August 28, Carter Hall in the University Center The Las Vegas-based team of Spike and Hammer brings a comedy magic performance to campus. The two promise an entertaining show on this last evening before fall classes begin. Other Welcome Week events include college meetings to introduce new students to deans and department chairs and to familiarize them with academic expectations in their college. The week continues with a service opportunity to work on a Habitat for Humanity project, a scavenger hunt to help students learn the location of frequently used University services, a find-your-classes help session, a book discussion, games of Ultimate Frisbee, and other social and recreational activities. The Student Government Association will sponsor a new-student dinner. AMIGO Dominique Cherry, a sophomore dental-hygiene major from East Chicago, Indiana, said, “Welcome Week is the best time to be introduced to USI, meet great people, and have the most fun imaginable. You may meet people who will be in your classes, live in the same building, or come from the same hometown. So many friendships are formed because of something as crazy as a scavenger hunt!” Welcome Week officially runs through August 31, but special activities are available through the Labor Day weekend. Mike Domitrz, a nationally known expert on healthy dating and sexual assault awareness, will speak at 8 p.m. September 1 in the University Center. The women’s and men’s soccer teams will play Ashland University on September 3. Swimming and other water sports and recreational activities are planned at Kramer’s Lake on Labor Day, September 5. Schafer said that new students and parents often ask AMIGOs what there is to do on campus and in Evansville. “I reply, ‘All kings of things!’” Schafer said. “Not only is there something fun going on here on campus every weekend, but there is also an ice skating rink, movie theatres, putt-putting and golf ranges, go-cart racing, water park, a beautiful riverfront, an indoor arena football team (the Evansville Blue Cats), a minor-league baseball team (the Evansville Otters), and a philharmonic choir and orchestra that perform throughout the year. And big-name artists and performances come into Evansville. And let's not forget the annual Nut Club Fall Festival (second-largest street festival in the United States, second only to Mardi Gras). There is most certainly plenty to do in Evansville!” |
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