Baylor Students Build Cohesion through Welcome Week's 'Big Event'

Media contact: Paige Connell
Baylor University Media Communications
(254) 710-3321 or Paige_Connell@baylor.edu

by Lauren Venegas, student newswriter, (254) 710-6805

Baylor University's incoming class of 2012 will have the opportunity to participate in the annual "Big Event" as part of Welcome Week at 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23, at the Ferrell Center on Baylor's campus.

The Welcome Week program is four days of activities designed to introduce the educational idea of balanced development of the whole person in the Christian atmosphere of Baylor, to acquaint students with Baylor and its traditions and to welcome each new student as a significant member of the life and family of the University.

The theme of this year's event is a 1960s-inspired "Funkytown."

"The Big Event is intended to be a fun and exciting community event for new students and an opportunity for them to meet each other and begin the year in an exciting way," said Michael Riemer, associate director of student activities. Riemer anticipates approximately 2,500 students to attend.

"There are few programs in the Welcome Week schedule that bring all the new students together in one place that are this much fun," said Karin Klinger, associate director of student activities. "This is just one step of many that will help our new students start thinking of Baylor as 'home.'"

The Big Event will feature "Funky Old Soul," a live band from Austin, playing favorite hits such as "Brickhouse" and "Car Wash."

In addition to live music, the event will also include activities and feature nostalgic items such as a 24-foot inflatable slide, an inflatable basketball game, jousting, sumo wrestling, lava lamps, Naugahyde chairs, food and a free showing of the movie Austin Powers in Goldmember, Riemer said.

"It is important that our new students can have some shared experiences as they begin their time at Baylor that will help them build a sense of cohesion as a class and connect them to the University," said Klinger. "Events like 'Funkytown' provide just such an experience. What is more, this event will offer students another excellent opportunity to build new relationships with individuals who will journey with them through their time at Baylor."

The Big Event will be sponsored by the department of student activities and the Baylor Activities Council. For more information, visit www.baylor.edu/student_activities.