Regardless of what lies ahead in the classroom in the days, weeks and months to come, Marshall University is again doing everything conceivable to make those first days of college as smooth as possible for all freshmen. And, it starts – as usual – next week with the annual Week of Welcome (WOW).
Week of Welcome (WOW) is part of the First Year Experience at Marshall. It serves as more than a class or a program; it is an experience that is essential to the success of many freshmen.
It is a collaborative, introductory effort to welcome, educate, and socialize new students to the Marshall campus, academic expectations, personnel, resources, and traditions during the first few weeks of the fall semester.
“Our goal is that when the first day of fall classes arrives on Monday, August 24th, 100 percent of our freshmen and transfers will be comfortable,” said Dr. Gayle Ormiston, Marshall’s provost and senior vice president for academic affairs. “We want the transition from high school to college to be seamless. And, we think for most it will be.”
This year, WOW officially runs Wednesday, Aug. 19, through Sunday, Aug. 23, although there are several WOW-related events continuing Aug. 24-26. The complete schedule of WOW activities, which leads up to the opening day of the fall session, can be found at www.marshall.edu/wow.
“Week of Welcome and UNI 100 provide incoming freshmen with an opportunity to arrive on campus early and meet new friends and classmates,” said Sherri Stepp, director of University College at Marshall. “They will find a team of staff volunteers and peer mentors who are ready to provide support in their transition to college life. Students will meet for large interactive group programs as well as small classroom sessions to learn about the expectations for academic success, the availability of campus resources, the responsibilities for community building, and development of success strategies. Additional evening events and social activities are available to meet a variety of student interests.”
Participants in Week of Welcome and the UNI 100 Freshman First Class will understand what it means to be an accountable member of the Marshall University community; identify and understand important academic resources, procedures, and policies to create a successful Marshall experience; explore essential technology that will aid in student success; and develop positive and influential relationships with university officials and peers.
Marshall’s Week of Welcome is an opportunity for freshmen to find out what it means to be a student at Marshall University and get acquainted with campus before upperclassmen return, and, a time to learn how to take advantage of the academic and support services provided, meet new friends and have fun.
There are many fun and informative events during the Week of Welcome:
UNI 100 Freshman First Class is an integral part of Week of Welcome. An introduction to academic structures and expectations of college life, UNI 100 literally is the first class most freshmen will take at Marshall. Successful completion of the course earns one hour of elective credit. The course is made up of two parts: (1) attending large group and small class sessions during Week of Welcome, and (2) attending seven additional 50-minute class sessions, once per week in the first seven weeks of the semester.
Wednesday, Aug. 19
10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. – WOW Registration & T-Shirt Pick-up at the Recreation Center basketball courts, for residence hall and commuter students.
3 to 4 p.m. – President’s Open House. Interim President Gary White and members of the university’s senior management team will host an informal open house for members of the Marshall community at the Joan C. Edwards Playhouse.
3:30 p.m. – The Marching Thunder will perform at the practice field (near the Marshall Recreation Center).
5 to 6:30 p.m. – Family Picnic. Memorial Student Center plaza. All freshmen and their families are invited to attend this celebration picnic with free food and music.
10 p.m. to midnight – YogaRAVE First Night Block Party. Marshall Recreation Center.
Green Trail SELFIE Scavenger Hunt – Details can be found at http://www.marshall.edu/sustainability/green-trail-selfie-scavenger-hunt/
Thursday, Aug. 20
7:30 to 8:15 a.m. – WOW Registration & T-shirt Pick-up. Henderson Center concourse.
8:30 to 9:15 a.m. – Freshman First Class. Henderson Center arena.
9:15 to 9:30 a.m. – Freshman Class Photo (Take 1). Henderson Center basketball court.
5 to 6 p.m. – Green Trail. Starts at the Memorial Student Center plaza (by the fountain). Tour the Marshall University Gardens, plus discover the Green Initiatives on campus.
5:15 to 6 p.m. – Cycling 45. Marshall Recreation Center: An indoor group cycling class that includes endurance, strength and interval training.
6 to 7:30 p.m. – Men’s Soccer Game vs. Salem University. Veterans Memorial Soccer Complex.
6 to 10 p.m. – Thundering Herd Rally and Summer Concert Series. Pullman Square. Come celebrate with us as we kick off the school year and the Thundering Herd football season in downtown Huntington.
9 p.m. – Marshall at the Movies. Pullman Square Marquee Cinemas. Marshall at the Movies is a program in partnership with Marquee Cinemas showing movies for students during the semester.
9 to 11 p.m. – Net Night. Marshall Recreation Center. All the nets will be set up for pickleball, volleyball, badminton, wallyball and table tennis.
Friday, Aug. 21
9:15 to 9:45 a.m. – Freshman Class Photo (Take 2). John Marshall Statue. All students will walk to the John Marshall Statue near Old Main and the Drinko Library for our annual WOW photo.
9:45 to 11:30 a.m. – President’s Convocation. Keith Albee Performing Arts Center. This event will be livestreamed at www.marshall.edu/it/livestream.
2:30 to 3:20 p.m. – College Sessions: Meet Your Dean, Various locations; students will meet with the dean, associate dean and staff of their respective colleges.
5 to 6 p.m. – Zumba. Marshall Recreation Center – Ditch the workout, join the party! All fitness and skill levels are welcome in this exclusive class.
5 to 7 p.m. – Market to Table Cooking. Huntington’s Kitchen. Registration is available for 12 students.
6 to 7 p.m. – Yoga Basics. Marshall Recreation Center – Learn basic yoga and de-stress in this mind/body workout.
7 to 8 p.m. – Piloxing. Marshall Recreation Center – Piloxing is a non-stop, interval fusion of standing Pilates, boxing and dance that will push you past your limits.
8 to 9 p.m. – Hip Hop Sculpt. Marshall Recreation Center. Learn short combinations to today’s hit music. Dance your way to a slimmer, trimmer you.
8:30 to 11 p.m. – Cosmic Frisbee. Buskirk Field. Come play (or watch) an insane game of Glow in the Dark Ultimate Frisbee.
9 to 11 p.m. – Screen on the Green. Rec Center Field. Join us for a night at the movies. Enjoy free popcorn and soda, and watch a new release on the big screen.
Saturday, Aug. 22
Noon to 3 p.m. – RecFest 2015. Marshall Recreation Center. RecFest features over 100 different vendors, door prizes, give-aways, activities and food.
2 to 4 p.m. – Design on Wheels. Buskirk Field. Come out and paint with Wine and Design. We will have local artists helping you create your own Marshall Masterpiece.
3 to 5 p.m. – Learn to play Cricket. Buskirk Field. Join the Indian Student Association and INTO Marshall for a game of cricket.
4 to 6 p.m. – Marshall Football Season Kickoff Party (Marshall students only). Joan C. Edwards Stadium; Marshall student-athletes will be on hand for a meet and greet with all Marshall students.
9 p.m. – Screen on the Green. INTO Field (by the tennis courts); Join INTO Marshall for a night at the movies! Bring a blanket or lawn chair and watch “We Are Marshall.”
Sunday, Aug. 23
11 a.m. to 5 p.m. – Carnival!, Buskirk Center Campus Field. The Office of Student Activities and Campus Activities Board will be providing a fun-filled event with inflatables, treats, games and prizes.
Noon to 4 p.m. – WOW Week Disc Golf. Join the Marshall Rec Center for a day of disc golf. Come out and spend a day at Rotary Park with the Rec.
7 to 9 p.m. – WOW Week Indoor Kayaking. Marshall Recreation Center. Join the Marshall Recreation Center for an evening of kayaking!
7:30 to 8:15 p.m. – Cycling 45. Marshall Recreation Center.
7:30 to 8:30 p.m. – Zumba. Marshall Recreation Center.
8 to 11 p.m. – SplatterBEAT. Buskirk Center Campus Field. Come in white clothing and leave in color. Dance to professionally DJ’d music under an intense light show.