Weeks of Welcome takes off Aug. 19
Almost 8,000 new students are welcomed onto the Blacksburg campus with back-to-back events throughout Aug. 19-29 by New Student and Family Programs.
Maeve Marley, assistant director of New Student and Family Programs, said Weeks of Welcome is a time where students can connect with each other, adjust to campus life, and learn about available resources.
“The goal of Weeks of Welcome is to help new students feel welcome and help them build their own community,” Marley said.
Activities include game and movie nights, carnivals, workout classes, cultural and community center open houses, and many more. One event Marley is especially excited for is the Hokiepalooza, an event featuring a live DJ and outdoor activities.
“The Hokiepalooza is an event we launched for the first year, last year,” Marley said. “It was way more popular than we thought so we're making it three times bigger this year. It's going to expand over Prairie Quad, Eggleston Quad, and Dietrick Lawn. There will be lots of different things to do, so we're excited.”
Weeks of Welcome is put together by many partners across campus including New Student and Family Programs, Student Engagement and Campus Life, and Recreational Sports. The Center for the Arts is helping launch a new event called the Block Party that will feature a guest comedian in the Anne and Ellen Fife Theatre and an art gallery.
Popular events from last year include the Hokie Hi Spirit Rally and Rec Fest. Events are optional aside from some mandatory meetings. Students will receive individualized schedules that will display required meetings.
The Weeks of Welcome calendar is available on the Hokies on Track app for students.
Marley encourages all attendees to keep an open mind and explore all they can.
“Push yourself to get out and do something different,” Marley said. “There's so many opportunities, so there’s bound to be something that meets your interest. Even if it doesn't meet your interest it's still worth exploring.”
Written by Emily Southern, a senior majoring in multimedia journalism and student writer for Virginia Tech Marketing and Communications
