2,500 Freshmen Expected for Baylor Welcome Week Aug. 23-26

WACO, Texas - Approximately 2,500 new freshmen and an estimated 500 transfers will participate in Baylor University's annual Welcome Week from Aug. 23-26.
According to Jenny Gorham, Welcome Week co-director and Waco junior, Welcome Week began in 1978 and is an orientation program for new students that emphasizes the intellectual, social, spiritual and physical aspects of college life. Philip Hassler, Welcome Week co-director and Arlington junior, said that "the strong relationships and friendships formed between the new students" is the most special aspect of Welcome Week.
This year's theme is "The Spirit of Baylor" and activities will focus on Baylor traditions. The new students will be placed into 132 small seminar groups with approximately 15 to 20 students per group. Each group will be named after familiar people and traditions on campus. These "mini-conference" groups will discuss various topics related to Baylor life.
Students can move into the dorms beginning at 8 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 23. Welcome Week will officially start that day at 6:30 p.m. A pep rally, with performances by the Baylor yell leaders, song leaders and mascot, will be held at 8 p.m. Baylor athletes also will be there to welcome new students.
On Sunday morning, an All-University church service will be held at 10 a.m. in the Ferrell Center. Dr. Brad Creed, dean of the George Truett Theological Seminary and associate professor, will be the featured speaker. He will focus on Christian life at Baylor as well as new beginnings.
This year, the President's Picnic and a carnival will be combined and will be held from 7-10 p.m. on Sunday. Welcome Week students can eat dinner dinner and play various carnival games.
At noon on Monday, the groups will meet for "Lunch on the Grounds" where students can eat lunch and visit with representatives from more than 100 local churches to talk about their youth programs and opportunities.
Activities will continue with afternoon mixers. From 6-8 p.m., student seminar groups will have the opportunity to dine in the homes of different faculty members. A concert performance by Caedmon's Call, a contemporary Christian band whose album recently went national, is scheduled for 8:30 p.m.
Tuesday will begin with morning mixers and a Traditions Assembly at 9:30 a.m. At 10:30 a.m., students will participate in a community service project called "Bubble Busting." Students will eat lunch in the Farrell Center at 1 p.m. and will have the opportunity to eat dinner in the cafeterias that will open on the same day. Welcome Week will conclude with a Traditions Assembly and a candle lighting ceremony at 8 p.m.
On Saturday, Aug. 30, after Baylor's first 1997 football game against Miami, a Welcome Week Reunion and dance will be held from 8-12 p.m. in the Ferrell Center.
For more information, contact the Welcome Week office at (254) 710-3638.