Marshall University is once again working to ensure incoming students feel welcomed and prepared when fall classes begin Monday, Aug. 22. University staff have worked for months to put together a schedule of activities that are both informative and fun during the annual Week of Welcome (WOW).
“When students arrive on campus, they will find a team of staff volunteers and peer mentors who are ready to support them in their transition into their first semester of college,” said Sherri Stepp, director of University College at Marshall.
Week of Welcome at Marshall University is all about the experience and is a collaborative effort across campuses to welcome and acclimate students to the campus, procedures, expectations and traditions.
Students will actually begin their first class at Marshall during Week of Welcome. UNI 100, Freshman First Class is an introduction to academic structures and expectations of college life. Those who successfully complete the course earn one hour of elective credit.
The course is made up of two parts: (1) attending large group sessions 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.
“Students attending classes at the Mid-Ohio Valley Center, the Teays Valley Regional Center and the South Charleston campus have their own Week of Welcome schedules and will attend UNI 100 classes at their locations,” Stepp said. “Those schedules are available on the www.marshall.edu/wow site. Students attending the regional campuses and centers are invited to come to Huntington to participate in the evening and weekend activities and events.”
WOW kicks off on Tuesday, Aug. 16, with campus move-in for residence hall students and a family picnic for all freshmen and their families. Activities continue through Sunday, Aug. 21. A complete schedule of WOW activities, which leads up to the first day of class for the fall semester, can be found at www.marshall.edu/wow.
Here is a brief look at some of the events scheduled on the Huntington campus during Marshall’s Week of Welcome:
Tuesday, August 16
1 to 4 p.m. – WOW Registration & T-Shirt Pick-up. Recreation Center basketball courts.
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.
9 p.m. – First Night Bonfire. Marshall Commons Field (by Harless Dining Hall)
Wednesday, August 17
9 a.m. to noon – WOW Registration & T-Shirt Pick-up. Recreation Center basketball courts.
3 to 4:30 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 6:30 p.m. – Class of 2020 Picnic. Memorial Student Center plaza.
6:30 to 8 p.m. – Generation Rx. Various Locations.
Educational program led by the Marshall University School of Pharmacy student chapter of the American Pharmacists Association.
9 to 11 p.m. – Recess at the Rec. Recreation Center.
Thursday, August 18
8:30 to 9:45 a.m. – Marshall NOW! (No Opportunity Wasted). Henderson Center arena.
9:45 to 10 a.m. – Freshman Class Photo (Take 1). Henderson Center basketball court.
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.
Friday, August 19
9:15 to 9:45 a.m. – Freshman Class Photo (Take 2). John Marshall Statue.
10 to 11:30 a.m. – President’s Convocation. Keith-Albee Performing Arts Center. This event will be livestreamed at www.marshall.edu/it/livestream.
5 to 6 p.m. – Meet & Greet with Fraternity and Sorority Leadership.
Memorial Student Center 2E28.
8:30 p.m. to Midnight – “First Friday” Party. Don Morris Room – MSC.
9 p.m. – Screen on the Green. INTO Field (by Tennis Courts).
Saturday, August 20
Noon to 3 p.m. – RecFest 2016. Marshall Recreation Center.
2 to 3:30 p.m. – Marshall ARMY ROTC Obstacle Course. Grass Field by Gullickson Hall and Tennis Courts.
2 to 4 p.m. – Playing with Pallets. Buskirk Field.
5 p.m. – Marshall Athletics Football Scrimmage (Students Only!). Joan C. Edwards Stadium.
Sunday, August 21
11 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Carnival! Harless Field.
8 to 10 p.m. – SplatterBEAT. Buskirk Field.
Full schedules for each location are available at www.marshall.edu/wow.