DECATUR, Ill. – On the Sunday evening before the Fall Semester of the 2024-25 academic year began at , there was a night of reflection and excitement as the 2024 Fall Convocation ceremony brought an end to the activities of the Great Start New Student Welcome Week.
A group of speakers, including Associate Professor of Mathematics Dr. Emily Olson, Vice President of Student Affairs , and the Student Representative to the Board of Trustees Kyler Griggs, shared important ideas and messages to the group of more than 470 first-year and transfer students who would be beginning their studies Monday morning.
鶹Լ President Dr. Jim Reynolds began the evening with a welcome to the students and brought several international students to the stage, representing the diverse group of 64 students from more than 25 countries studying at 鶹Լ this year.
“Some might ask, what's the big deal about tonight’s event? What makes this gathering at 鶹Լ so special? Well, it's because tonight, we get to begin to write the story of us. It's true that some of the chapters of our story have already been written by the returning students, faculty, and staff who will open our fall semester on Monday with you, but our complete story will only be finished by adding all of you and your gifts and talents to the narrative,” Reynolds said. “The chapters that you'll contribute will speak to the persistence that you'll show, the transformation that will take place while you're here, and the joy that you'll exhibit in your experience at 鶹Լ. This isn't something that will be finished in a few days or weeks, though. Writing our Big Blue story is a journey that will take time and commitment but will culminate in a new, indelibly different, and better 鶹Լ.”
Dr. Southerland welcomed the new class of “Mighty 鶹Լ” students and affirmed that he feels he has the best job at 鶹Լ because he works closely with Big Blue students daily.
“To our new first-year students, you made it to college. What a great accomplishment! We now need you to embrace the rich opportunities that await you. Go slow, don't get overextended, ask for help, and remember you are surrounded by people who care,” he said. “To our new international students, you are such a blessing to us. Your presence enriches our campus community, and we look forward to learning more about you and your culture. To our new transfer students, we are so very grateful that you chose 鶹Լ to continue your educational goals. We welcome you to the Big Blue family with arms wide open and much love.”
Here’s a look back at the whirlwind of activities that made up Great Start New Student Welcome Week 2024:
Events kicked off with students moving into the dorms on Sunday. Groups of 鶹Լ students, faculty and staff, Greek Life students, and Student Experience Ambassadors were out in force to lend a hand and carry a suitcase or microwave inside for the new arrivals.
Each afternoon, the new arrivals got to know each other a little better during Choose Your Own Adventure activities that included finding their classrooms, recreational activities and delicious snacks. Events continued all week as the new class got to know 鶹Լ’s campus a little better and learned tips to make their experience as smooth as possible.
On Thursday, the first-year students prepared to roll up their sleeves and get a little dirty as they took part in the , which brought 鶹Լ students out into the Decatur community to do acts of community service. Students participated in many activities, including planting trees, organizing food and clothing donations at food shelters, and garden cleanup. A generous grant from the ADM Cares charitable organization made this year's event possible.
As the weekend approached, the students got to let loose Friday evening on the Quad with an exciting night that included sand volleyball and some tasty snacks. Under the stars on Saturday night, the first-year students experienced the Candlelight Ceremony on the Quad. This yearly tradition is a moment of contemplation about the journey they will soon be starting.
On Wednesday morning, the group took part in a long-standing 鶹Լ tradition and created another memory they will never forget when their class photo was taken in the shape of a 鶹Լ “M” on the Quad.
It was a week of starting friendships, making memories, and preparing for the first steps of their 鶹Լ experience.
