Source: Gayle Spencer, 532-6541 gayle@k-state.edu
Website: http://wow.k-state.edu
News release prepared by: Stephanie Jacques, 785-532-3452, sjacques@k-state.edu
Monday, August 13, 2012
Connect to K-State: Week of Welcome activities entertain, enlighten students
MANHATTAN -- Kansas State University will get students off on the right foot with a variety of activities and events to engage them in the university community during Week of Welcome from Aug. 20-24.
"Week of Welcome is designed to provide students with opportunities, resources and events to ensure their success at K-State," said Gayle Spencer, associate dean of student life and director of student activities. "The wide array of events and activities being offered helps students get acclimated to campus and to become a part of the K-State community. It's very important for new students to get connected to all the academic support and co-curricular activities that are offered to help with the transition to college."
The week starts with Walk Your Schedule from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 18. Students should meet at the K-State Student Union where student volunteers will help incoming students locate their classes. From 1-3 p.m. student financial assistance will be available on the first floor of the union to answer financial questions.
Also on Aug. 18, Target is sponsoring a special shopping event from 10 p.m. to midnight that will include activities and promotional items for college students. Free transportation to Target will start and run every 15 minutes from the Frith Community Center in the Jardine Apartment Complex, the parking lot between Goodnow and Marlatt halls, and Derby Dining Center between West and Ford halls. To conclude the day, a late-night breakfast from 11:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. at Memorial Stadium will offer a free pancake and sausage breakfast for the first 5,000 K-State students.
Other Week of Welcome events include:
* Sunday, Aug. 19, Traditions Day. Walk Your Schedule is from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the union. The College of Engineering Welcome Rally is 4:30-6 p.m. in the engineering complex atrium and plaza. Open to all students, the event includes games, music, food, a pep rally and grand prizes to be drawn at 6 p.m. The 2012 K-State Kickoff is from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Bill Snyder Family Stadium. A free dinner will start at 6:30 p.m. on the stadium's east concourse followed by a student pep rally at 7 p.m. inside the stadium.
* Monday, Aug. 20, We're Glad You're Here Day. Help booths will be available from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. across campus to assist students. Free first-aid kits, water bottles, pens and important health information and resources will be in the union courtyard from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
* Tuesday, Aug. 21, K-State Culture Day. Listen to hip-hop music -- played on an electric violin, as seen on this season of "America's Got Talent" -- from noon to 1 p.m. on the Bosco Student Plaza. The Kansas State Book Network will host a discussion, led by students and faculty, on "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" at 7 p.m. at Hale Library.
* Wednesday, Aug. 22, Student Success Day. Where in the World is Willie, a trivia and scavenger hunt hosted by the study abroad office, will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the plaza between Fairchild and Kedzie halls. Career and employment services is sponsoring a barbecue from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. to connect students with a career adviser. A free financial refresher with free ice pops will be from noon to 2 p.m. on the lawn northwest of Fairchild Hall. Students can meet peer financial counselors and advisers from Powercat Financial Counseling, office of student financial assistance and the cashier's office. The Union Program Council will host Stewart Ray, a Manhattan native and country singer, from noon to 1 p.m. on the Bosco Student Plaza. Animal sciences and industry and food science and industry students may attend a welcome back tailgate from 5:30-6:30 p.m. with bluegrass music provided by some of the faculty. The Student Governing Association will host a multicultural mixer from 6-7:30 p.m. in the union courtyard to introduce new students to multicultural student organizations and to enjoy music, ice cream and a prize drawing.
* Thursday, Aug. 23, Involvement Day. The Part-Time Opportunities Fair is 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the union ballroom to connect students with part-time and internship employers both on and off campus. Pups and Popsicles will be from 2-4 p.m. at the Leadership Studies Building Amphitheater. Students can learn more about the school and how to get involved with leadership and service while enjoying popsicles and petting dogs and puppies from the KSDS service dog training organization. The Union Expo and Activities Carnival will be 6-8 p.m. at the union, Bosco Student Plaza and Anderson Hall lawn. Students can enjoy free giveaways and hot-air balloon and zipline rides. The K-State Alumni Center invites students to take a tour and enjoy ice cream floats and cookies during a performance by On the Spot Improv. The movie "Up" will be shown outside at 9 p.m. on the Bosco Student Plaza. Students can receive free popcorn with any purchase at the Cats' Den convenience store.
* Friday, Aug. 24, Friday Fun Day. The K-State After Hours Block Party will be 8-11 p.m. on the Bosco Student Plaza. The free event includes dance music, prizes and games. Other free events include popular hypnotist Chuck Milligan at 9:30 p.m. at McCain Auditorium, and a featured comedian at 10:30 p.m. in the union's Forum Hall. Free food from Salsaritas will be provided after the show.
More information on Week of Welcome, including campus and commercial sponsors, and related activities planned by student organizations, is available at http://wow.k-state.edu or by contacting wow@k-state.edu.
