Week-long fun times also to extend into the fall 2009 semester
–by Tom Garland, Kirkwood News Service
There’s a lot of “new” involved with the first day of school; new teachers, new friends, new classes, new books, and sometimes, a new school. Whether it’s your first day arriving at college, or you’re returning for your final year, there’s something exciting about setting foot on campus the day that classes begin.
Seth Vander Tuig from Kirkwood Community College’s Student Life organization explained that Welcome Week 2009 is all that and more.
“A lot of Welcome Week is just meeting new friends, networking, and really being able to feel part of a full college experience. After all, college really is more than just text books and class. The experience you have there matter just as much,” Vander Tuig said.
On August 24 through the 28, Kirkwood will be hosting events all week long to help students get acclimated to campus, including free food, a comedian, apartment mixers and a Kernels Baseball game.
The events will kick off with “Movin’ & Shakin’,” Kirkwood’s annual welcome party for new students, which includes music, games, free food and prizes. It is scheduled to take place outside Iowa Hall from 2-5 p.m. on August 24.
“The big difference this year is that school is starting on a Monday, which should make Movin’ and Shakin’ all the more fun. There will be tents set up from local area business, employers, and student organizations. I’m really excited for it,” Vander Tuig said.
Shannon Bartell, an admissions advisor for Kirkwood, agrees with Vander Tuig claiming this may be one of the most significant events during the week. “It’s very important for student’s to be involved,” Bartell said, “Students who are involved tend to do better in classes and this day should really help students find their niche.”
Beyond that, students will be able to see what their apartment complex has in store for them on Tuesday, August 25 with Roomie Night at the area student apartments from 5-7 p.m.
Pat Donohoe, a sophomore at Kirkwood, said this was a very significant night for him last year. “It helped me meet so many people that lived around us that by the time we actually got deep into classes, I felt like I already had a group of friends I could go to for help.”
Bartell also feels that this night can help students realize this is their new home, rather than just where they go to study. “We’re not a community college where students drive in and just go home after class. We have nearby housing for 4,000 and there are tons of events going on all year long. We’re about as far from a ‘suitcase college’ as you can get,” Bartell said.
Other events throughout the week include:
• Wednesday, August 26: students are invited to head on over to Veterans Memorial Stadium at 6:35 p.m. to enjoy a baseball game with the Cedar Rapids Kernels.
• Thursday, August 27: comedian Michael Palascak will be featured live at the Ballantyne Auditorium at 7 p.m.
• Friday, August 28: free walking tacos will be served to all who attend the end-of-the-week celebrations outside of Iowa Hall at 11:30 a.m.
For more information on Welcome Week 2009, call the admissions office at 1-800-363-2220, or head to http://www.kirkwood.edu/welcomeweek . Watch for posters on campus for upcoming events sponsored by Kirkwood Student Life. Students are also invited to join the Facebook group “Kirkwood Events” to receive messages on campus events and other opportunities.