'Welcome Week' Greets Class Of 2008 To Campus
Baylor University will welcome the class of 2008 to campus Aug. 19-22 with its traditional Welcome Week activities for incoming freshman and transfer students. The four-day schedule will include mixers, seminars and small group sessions as well as several social activities to help introduce students to Baylor. Classes will begin Monday, Aug. 23.
Baylor's Welcome Week tradition began in 1974 and emphasizes the intellectual, physical, social and spiritual aspects of college life. The theme for Welcome Week 2004 is "The places you'll go!" and focuses on the verse, "...He will direct your path," from Proverbs 3:5-6.
"As the Welcome Week planning committee, we have been dedicated to programming and preparation for this event since January. I know we will have a great week and I hope the 3,200 students who come to Baylor on Thursday will enjoy it, too," said Boerne senior Mimi Wiggins, Welcome Week public relations coordinator.
"This experience has put me in the right mind frame to begin class on Monday with a renewed heart, ready to serve," said Lubbock junior Julie Scheifer, Welcome Week coordinator of local arrangements.
Students will begin moving into residences halls at 7 a.m. Thursday. Welcome Week events begin at 6 p.m. with a dinner hosted by President Robert B. Sloan Jr. on Burleson Quadrangle. Thursday also will offer a Parent Split Party at 7:45 p.m. in Barfield Drawing Room and a viewing of the movie "Bruce Almighty" on Founders Mall immediately following the 11 p.m. Small Group Roundup.
Friday will kick off at 10 a.m. at the Ferrell Center with Playfair, a team-building opportunity that promotes campus unity and school spirit, followed by a church mixer and lunch at 11:30 a.m. An important first for all Baylor students, Dr Pepper Hour will be held at 3:30 p.m. Friday in the den of the Bill Daniel Student Center. Faculty will host students for dinner in their homes at 6:30 p.m. and Friday's events will conclude with the Club BU - Welcome Week Dance at 9:30 p.m. in the Ferrell Center.
Saturday morning will offer students the chance to participate in "FirStep," a group community service project that encourages new students to get involved in the Waco community. Afternoon activities include Marina Madness at 2:45 p.m. and Residence Hall Community Connection at 6 p.m., followed by dinner in small groups. Saturday night's main event, Festival on Fifth Street, will feature a carnival of activities including a concert by Christian artists Bebo Norman and Jason Morant.
Sunday will conclude Welcome Week activities with a candlelight ceremony to unite the new student community as they reflect on the past and commemorate the journey ahead.
For more information, please contact Wiggins at (254) 498-3710 or you can visit the Welcome Week web site at www.baylor.edu/welcome_week.