BUIES CREEK – The official start of the fall season isn’t until Sept. 22, but for students at Campbell University, “fall” is only a few weeks away.
Welcome Week 2012, the unofficial beginning of the fall semester in Buies Creek, begins Aug. 18, with freshmen moving into their residence halls at 9 a.m. that day. The day will culminate with a 4 p.m. Welcome Party and Football Fan Appreciation Day, followed by a football scrimmage at Barker-Lane Stadium.
Welcome Week will run through the following Saturday, and in between, the entire week will be designed to make “moving to the Creek” as pleasant an experience as possible for students new and old.
Below is a rundown of the week. For more information, contact Chris O’Connor, director for Student Activities, at (910) 893-1554.
SATURDAY, AUG. 18
“We’re kicking off the week with athletics, and freshmen will be able to get an early look at the football team,” said O’Connor. “There will be free T-shirts, inflatable rides and more.”
After a day of moving in for the freshmen, they’ll get an opportunity to be the first to see Campbell Football under the lights. While the season doesn’t officially begin until Aug. 30, the first night of Welcome Week will include a scrimmage, beginning at 6:30 p.m.
After residence hall meetings that night, a showing of the spring blockbuster, “The Hunger Games” will be held in Turn Auditorium at 11 p.m.
9 a.m.- 5 p.m.: Freshmen move into residence halls
4 p.m.: Welcome party, Football Fan Appreciation Day at Barker-Lane Stadium
5 p.m.: Picnic dinner at Barker-Lane Stadium
6 p.m.: Welcome to Campbell address
6:30 p.m.: Football scrimmage
9 p.m.: Residence hall meetings
11 p.m.: “Hunger Games” at Turner Auditorium
SUNDAY, AUG. 19
Saturday will be for the freshmen, but Sunday will be for everybody.
Transfer and returning students will have their official “Move-In Day” beginning at 9 a.m. But the focus will turn back toward the freshmen at 4 p.m. when they take part in a tradition at Campbell University, the New Student Convocation and Medallion Ceremony at the John W. Pope Jr. Convocation Center.
The evening will include entertainment and will conclude with midnight shuttles to Wal-Mart in Dunn from the Fine Arts Building.
9 a.m.-5 p.m.: Transfer students and returning students move in
10 a.m.: Worship service in Butler Chapel
3:30 p.m.: Freshmen meet in the lobby of their residence halls
3:30 p.m.: Transfer and commuter students meeting Convocation Center lobby
4 p.m.: New Student Convocation and Medallion Ceremony at Convocation Center
5:30 p.m. Dinner in the dining halls
9 p.m. Bingo in Turner Auditorium
9:45 p.m.: Ice cream party in Academic Circle
11:30 p.m.: Midnight shuttles to Wal-mart from Fine Arts Building parking lot
MONDAY, AUG. 20
O’Connor says a highlight of Welcome Week is the Monday evening Street Fair, which includes tables and booths from businesses and organizations at and around Campbell University … all handing out freebies and information on themselves.
“All of the student organizations, university departments and local businesses will be there,” O’Connor said. “It’s a great opportunity for students to get connected to the community.”
The Street Fair will be held in the Fellowship Commons area (starting near the fountain by Carrie Rich Hall and extending throughout campus).
Freshmen will get a crash course in college life at 9 that morning during the Camel 101 program at Turner Auditorium in the D. Rich Building.
8-8:45 a.m.: Mini-Orientation check-in at D. Rich (for students who did not attend summer orientation)
9-11 a.m.: Camel 101 in Turner Auditorium (required for all new students)
Noon: Sign-ups for the beach and surfing trip open at the Info Desk in the Wallace Student Center
2 p.m.: International student orientation in Lynch Auditorium (Lundy-Fetterman Building)
4 p.m.: Department meetings – meet your department’s assigned location
5 p.m.: President’s picnic in Gore Arena
6-8 p.m.: Street Fair in Fellowship Commons
TUESDAY, AUG. 21
There aren’t a ton of daytime events, but for good reason – Aug. 21 marks the first day of fall classes at Campbell.
There will be a Blacklight Dance in Ellis Theater (Fine Arts Building) at 9 p.m. Tuesday night. Each year, Ellis transforms into a glow-in-the-dark dance club for this night … come early and wear bright colors to stand out. Space is limited.
WEDNESDAY, AUG. 22
Campus Ministry Night will be the main event on Wednesday. Held in Butler Chapel at 6:30 p.m., the program offers fun and free treats and allows students to learn more about what to expect in the coming year in campus ministry.
The day will conclude with residence hall meetings at 10 p.m.
THURSDAY, AUG. 23
Rising country/rock star Natalie Stovall will bring her high-energy performance to Campbell Thursday night in Turner Auditorium.
Named the 2012 Entertainer of the Year by the voters of Campus Activities Magazine in the Reader’s Choice Awards, Stovall’s fiddle-shredding shows are bred for wide audiences. And her reputation for lighting up the stage has made her a favorite to warm up audiences for country stars such as Dierks Bentley, Josh Turner, Gretchen Wilson, Justin Moore and Josh Gracin.
Stovall takes the stage at 9 p.m. Hear her music and learn more about her at nataliestovall.com.
FRIDAY, AUG. 24
Mud volleyball has become one of the more memorable Welcome Week traditions at Campbell.
Held in Saylor Park, two outdoor volleyball courts are transformed into mud pits for this day only. “Party in the Park,” which runs from 2 to 6 p.m., will also include waterslides, food and entertainment.
1-5 p.m.: Drop/add classes
2-6 p.m.: “Party in the Park” at Saylor Park
9 p.m.: “The Avengers” in Turner Auditorium
SATURDAY, AUG. 25
Welcome Week concludes with the beach and surfing trip, departing from the Fine Arts Building parking lot at 8 a.m. Sign-up for the trip begins at noon Monday at the Wallace Student Center.