Thousands of new and returning MTSU students converge on campus this week, awaiting the start of the 2016-17 academic year.
The blend of new freshmen, transfers and returning students begins or renews their academic pursuits at the university.
To help kick off the semester, New Student and Family Programs plans Week of Welcome activities. Considering the theme of “All Aboard! Traditions are Anchored Here,” a boatload of activities awaits them.
New Student and Family Programs holds Week of Welcome to not only welcome new students to campus but also returning students awaiting the first day of classes Monday, Aug. 22. To see the complete list of Week of Welcome activities, visit http://mtsu.edu/nsfp/welcome.php.
Week of Welcome activities run from Friday, Aug. 19 (We-Haul move-in day, dinner and an outdoor movie, “Finding Nemo”) through Saturday, Sept. 3, when the football Blue Raiders entertain visiting Alabama A&M at 6 p.m. in Floyd Stadium.
“Week of Welcome provides the perfect opportunity for new students to get their MTSU experience off on the right track,” said Jacki Lancaster, coordinator in New Student and Family Programs. “There are events for students to have fun, meet new people and bring their entire family.”
“There are other events that encourage new students to connect with MTSU and the MTSU community,” Lancaster added. “We look forward to having the campus buzzing with students and their families this weekend.”
Activities include:
• University Convocation — 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 21, in Murphy Center. Special guest is Rajiv Chandrasekaran. Along with Howard Schultz, he wrote “For Love of Country: What Our Veterans Can Teach Us About Citizenship, Heroism and Sacrifice,” a national best-seller and the 2016 Summer Reading Program book for new freshmen (http://www.mtsu.edu/summerreading/). The President’s Picnic in Floyd Stadium follows Convocation.
• Meet Murfreesboro — 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, Aug. 23-24, in the Student Union Commons. Students learn about city businesses and restaurants. See Rutherford Source at Tent 2 Table 59. Enter for a chance to win one of 20 gift cards from The Boulevard Sports Grill and more.
• MTSU Department Fair — 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 25, in the Student Union Commons. Numerous campus departments provide information and answer students’ questions.
• Comedy Show — 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 25 in Murphy Center. Featuring MTV “Wild ’n Out” comedians Rip Michaels, Darren “Big Baby” Brand and Aarona Lopez. (Requires student ID)
• Raider Entertainment Variety Show — 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 26, in Tucker Theatre. Featuring comedy hypnotist Eric Mina. (Requires student ID)
• Student Government Association Fight Song Competition — 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 27, in Murphy Center.
• Student Employment Fair — 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, Aug. 29. On- and off-campus job opportunities await students.
• Volunteer Fair — 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 30, in the Student Union Commons. Various organizations provide students with volunteer options.
“Student Programming and Raider Entertainment and New Student and Family Programs are proud to bring live to MTSU the wildly popular MTV Comedy Show “Wild ’n Out,” said Rich Kershaw, MTSU Student Programming director.
Following the comedians’ 60-minute show, students will be invited onstage to play the comedy show “Wild ’n Out,” Kershaw added. For more information, call 615-898-2551 or visit www.mtsu.edu/events.
All Week of Welcome activities are part of the Connection Point campaign (bring student ID) to help students become involved and engaged with MTSU. (http://www.mtsu.edu/stuaff/connect/)
For more information, call 615-898-2454 or visit New Student and Family Program’s website
