'Welcome Week' Introduces New Students To Baylor

by Haley Wright, (254) 710-3321

Baylor University will welcome the class of 2009 to campus Aug. 18-21 with its traditional Welcome Week activities for incoming freshmen 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. 22.
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 2005 is "Now Is the Time" and focuses on the verse, "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven," found in Ecclesiastes 3:1.
"The Welcome Week staff is excited about serving Baylor's largest incoming class and meeting the needs of the students during the beginning of their transition to college. This year the program is intentionally relational and continues to focus on the development of the whole person: intellectually, socially, physical and spiritually," said Magnolia senior Alan El-Lahham, who is on the Welcome Week staff.
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 Interim President William D. Underwood on Burleson Quadrangle. Thursday evening at 8 p.m., there will be a Parent Split Party in Barfield Drawing Room, Playfair at the McLane Student Life Center (SLC), and a special event for transfer students in the Bill Daniel Student Center den. A small group roundup session at the SLC and Coffee House on Fountain Path at the Baylor Sciences Building will take place at 9:30 p.m.
Friday will kick off at 9 a.m. with another small group time followed by the "Now is the Time" Kickoff at the Ferrell Center. Immediately following the kickoff rally, lunch will be served at 11:30 a.m. along side the traditional church fair. Friday afternoon at 1:30 p.m. students are encouraged to participate in Small Group Olympics at 1:30 p.m. at the marina. Faculty will host students for dinner in their homes at 5:30 p.m. The Friday Night Lights-Spirit Rally will be held at 8 p.m. at the Ferrell Center. A Campus Living and Learning Tradition meeting will be held at 9:30 p.m. in residence halls, and the evening will conclude with a Midnight Mixer on Fountain Mall.
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 a 1 p.m. Meet the Bears at Floyd Casey Stadium and Residence Hall Time at 6 p.m.
Saturday night's main event, Bear Country, will feature a carnival of activities including a hoedown, games, old-time photography and more. At 11 p.m., students are invited to Country Time Breakfast on Fountain Mall.
Sunday will conclude Welcome Week activities with a 7:45 p.m. candlelight ceremony in Ferrell Center to unite the new student community as they reflect on the past and commemorate the journey ahead. Following the ceremony at 9:45 p.m., students will attend the final small group gathering at the marina.