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'Welcome Week' To Provide Nine Days Of Activities For New, Returning Students
Aug. 5, 2014
SHSU Media Contact: Jennifer Gauntt
Students returning to campus for the fall semester can get the complete Sam Houston State University experience—from sports, to service, to celebrating the various forms of campus diversity—all during the course of 24 activities all held within a single week, Aug. 23-31.
Welcome Week 2014 will kick off on Saturday (Aug. 23), between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., with student organizations lending a helping hand to those moving into their on-campus housing.
Students and organizations assisting with New Student Move-In and getting a jump-start of another year of fulfilling SHSU’s motto, “The measure of a Life is its Service,” should check in at the Lowman Student Center Paw Print.
After getting settled in their residence halls, students can head over to the LSC Kat Klub to watch the No. 13-ranked Bearkat Football Team take on the No. 3-ranked Eastern Washington Eagles from the Kat Klub’s 6'x10' HD video wall beginning at 2:30 p.m. The game not only will be the first game of the 2014 football season, but is the only game that will be broadcast on ESPN that day.
On Sunday (Aug. 24), students can cool off after move-in at the Recreational Sports Center, which will host a pool party, complete with games and giveaways, from 1-3 p.m.
Activities continue at 4 p.m. at the Gaertner Performing Arts Center, when incoming students can get their first, official welcome as Bearkats during New Student Convocation.
The ceremony—which is designed to mirror commencement in pomp-and-circumstance, while also being less formal—will include welcomes from SHSU President Dana G. Hoyt, convocation student speaker Alexis Bloomer, and Ernest Cline, the author of “Ready Player One,” which was selected as this year’s Bearkats Read to Succeed common reader book. Those participating in the ceremony, should be at the GPAC at 3:30 p.m.
Rounding out Sunday’s events will be the Barnes and Noble VIP Night, from 4-7 p.m. in the University Bookstore, where students can visit the newly remodeled bookstore and see all the merchandise, materials and services they offer; the Kat Klub Bash, at 6 p.m., where students can play some of the games offered there; and the SHSU soccer team’s game against the University of Texas at Arlington, which will begin at 6:30 p.m. at Pritchett Field.
On Monday (Aug. 25), Bearkats will have another opportunity to serve SHSU and Huntsville with a project that will put students into the community.
“We will be dividing and conquering this year, volunteering with the SAAFE House and New Life Alliance,” said Meredith Conrey, associate director for leadership initiatives. “We always look for organizations in the community that express specific needs, and these two were good fits.”
For the project, which is scheduled from 8:15 a.m. to around 2 p.m., participants will perform such tasks as taking inventory and processing donations for the SAAFE House’s resale shop; moving items and decorating a room at the New Life Alliance to create a new classroom; and cleaning and organizing at both locations, Conrey said.
Those interested in participating should apply through the Center for Leadership and Service by Aug. 20. Applications are available in the CLS office, in Lowman Student Center Suite 324, or online, here.
That evening, those interested in SHSU’s Greek Life can get a “sneak peak” at all it entails at 5:30 p.m. in Bearkat Plaza. The Panhellenic Association will also be recruiting in the LSC Mall Area and on Sorority Hill Aug. 27-31.
Rounding out Monday’s events will be Kat Comedy Showcase at 8 p.m. at the Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum. Doors will open at 7 p.m. and tickets are expected to go fast, according to Steven Begnaud, program coordinator for the Department of Student Activities. This year’s featured comedians will be announced on Aug. 13.
On Tuesday (Aug. 26), students new to campus can get help finding their classes before the first day on Wednesday, by meting at 11 a.m. at the Alumni Fountain, near the LSC.
At 8 p.m., the Residence Hall Association will host the annual “Party in the Pit,” in the Old Main Pit, behind Austin Hall.
Students can decompress from the first day of classes on Wednesday (Aug. 27) with a little “gambling” with Student Activities’ “money” during the annual “Casino Night,” beginning at 6 p.m. in the LSC Ballroom.
Among the prizes students can win will be a flat screen TV, electronics and other giveaways.
The Student Money Management Center will also share the basics of personal finance during their “So you’re on your own; now what?” seminar beginning at 6 p.m. in LSC Room 315.
On Thursday (Aug. 28) at 11 a.m. in the LSC Mall Area, Unityfest will expose students to the culture and diversity at SHSU through prizes, food and an opportunity to get involved in different activities; and that evening, from 5:30-8:30 p.m., students can tune up for the Kats Meow Karaoke in the LSC Kat Klub.
Student Activities will offer a free lunch on Friday (Aug. 29) of hamburgers and hot dogs, courtesy of Aramark/SHSU Dining Services, at 11:30 a.m. for the Bearkat Picnic in the Austin Hall/quad area.
In the afternoon, students can head to Pritchett Field for the women’s soccer game against Illinois State, starting at 4 p.m., before being treated to “dinner and a movie,” courtesy of the Program Council, at 6:30 p.m.
The PC “Dinner and Movie” will feature “Neighbors,” starring Seth Rogen and Zac Efron, and will be shown in LSC Room 320.
Finally, students can get in a workout during the “Friday Night Lights” flag football game from 8-11 p.m. at Intramural Field No. 1.
Welcome Week will round out with the opportunity to see more Bearkat Athletics on Saturday (Aug. 30) and Sunday (Aug. 31).
Saturday’s football game against Alabama State, scheduled for 6:30 p.m. at Bowers Stadium, will be preceded with a tailgate party at 4:30 p.m. in Bearkat Alley, in the stadium’s north parking lot.
Sunday’s soccer game against Prairie View A&M will begin at 6:30 p.m. at Pritchett Field.
“Welcome Week at SHSU is an awesome collaborative experience that departments from across campus host in an effort to ensure all students have the easiest transition into the new academic year,” said Brandon Cooper, associate director for Student Activities. “From entertainment to educational programs, we try to guarantee that the ‘welcome mat’ is laid out for those Bearkats coming to Sam for the first time, or those returning back to their university home.
“Welcome Week is also a great tradition that informs students about other events throughout the year and how they can become more involved, extracurricular-wise, to better enhance their college experience and prepare for their future careers,” he said.
For more information on any of the Welcome Week events, visit shsu.edu/studentactivities.
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