MONROE, La. — New and returning students arrived on the University of Louisiana Monroe campus over the weekend during ‘Move-in-Mania,’ which marked the beginning of the university’s ‘Week of Welcome’ (WOW).
WOW, sponsored by the ۽ֱ Campus Activities Board, is a welcome-back-to-school week designed to orient new students to university life and to welcome returning students to campus. The schedule is packed with fun activities and free meals hosted by various campus organizations.
“This is an exciting week for us because we see how excited the freshmen are. We know what they’re signing themselves up for and we are thrilled to welcome them into the ۽ֱ family,” said Seth Hall, Director of High School Recruitment.
Student athletes, members of Greek life and other volunteers were busy Saturday helping new and returning students move into residence halls.
That night, students and parents gathered at JPS Field at Malone Stadium for the second and final scrimmage of the fall for the ۽ֱ football team.
One of the upcoming highlights of the week is convocation—an annual celebration on Wednesday to mark the beginning of a new academic year and welcome the newest members of the Warhawk family, the class of 2020.
Students, faculty, deans, and vice presidents will meet at the Library clock tower at 4:30 p.m. and walk together across the bridge at 4:40 p.m. to Fant-Ewing Coliseum. At 5 p.m., student groups will provide the opening entertainment through song and dance, and a series of speakers will follow, including Seth Hall, Lisa Miller (Chief Communications Officer) and keynote speaker Spencer Roark (senior Biology major).
At 5:30 p.m., Fant-Ewing Coliseum will come to life with a convocation pep rally, featuring performances by the ۽ֱ band, Hawkline, and the ۽ֱ cheerleaders. Athletic Director Brian Wickstrom will also speak at the pep rally.
“Convocation celebrates the beginning of the freshmen class’ academic journey, but it also foreshadows their commencement celebration in four years from now,” said Hall.
A complete schedule for WOW is available at ulm.edu/wow.