BUIES CREEK – Learning the campus, getting to know deans and advisors, experiencing a preview of university life … all exceptional reasons why freshman orientation is an important part of that final summer before a student leaves home and heads off to college.
But the one benefit of orientation – a benefit that, for some, lasts a lifetime – that can’t be overlooked is having the opportunity to meet new friends … young men and women who are in the same boat.
To make that part of orientation easier, Campbell University schedules several events over its two-day session that allow new students to meet the students who’ll share their majors and several classes and study groups over the next four years.
Campbell wrapped up its second and final freshman and transfer student orientation on Saturday, drawing more than 2,500 students and parents to Buies Creek in those four days combined. The Friday of both sessions ended with Camel Pride Night event, which included several games, the most popular being Powerball (a paintless paintball setup in the Convocation Center).
“Fun” was also the theme of Friday’s “Meet the Deans” portion of orientation. Following the opening session, students grouped with those with similar majors. The College of Arts and Sciences followed a meet-and-greet with Dean Dr. Mark Hammond with a round of “Jeopardy!,” which tested the incoming students on their newfound knowledge of Campbell University.
“Questions ranged from ‘name one of our vice presidents’ to ‘what dining facility is beside the bookstore,’” said Renee Green, CAS admissions coordinator. “The goal (of Meet the Deans) is for them to make friends so they have familiar faces when they come in August. Jeopardy! allowed them to make connections around campus, which we hope will make their transition to Campbell a little easier.”
In the Lundy-Fetterman School of Business, students got to know one another by watching each other succeed and fail in a series of small “test your skill” games, which included blowing bubbles, balancing golf balls, picking up marbles with pencils and more. The School of Education conducted a Camel Scavenger Hunt, which forced new students to meet the school’s faculty and staff (each meeting earned them a camel), with the first two students who returned winning a gift bag.
“They were given the opportunity to know where their classrooms are located and where their advisor’s office is,” said Debbie Temple, administrative assistant for the School of Education. “It gave the students a chance to mingle with each other and a chance to find their way around the building so they would be somewhat familiar with their classrooms by the time fall arrived.”
Other friend-making opportunities included a service project Friday where students worked together to package more than 25,000 meals for families in Africa and a “Magician for Non-Believers” show Friday night starring Peter Boie, a popular entertainer on the college circuit.
The “important” events included student life presentations, academic registration and the presentation of schedules.
Classes for the fall semester begin Aug. 21.
Story, photo by Billy Liggett