The Week of Welcome is intended for students to reconnect with the University and introduce freshmen to Western Carolina University.
Starting when freshmen arrive on Friday, Aug. 17, Western Carolina will welcome students with a first night celebration in the University Center at 8 p.m.
The highlight of the Week of Welcome 2012 is the new and improved Valley Ballyhoo on Saturday starting at 4:30 p.m. Valley Ballyhoo is an event that started as a welcome back celebration and informational event for students to connect with organizations from both the community and Western’s campus. It is a fun time to meet new people, reconnect with old friends and enjoy yourself on your first weekend back at Western Carolina! There will be hundreds of organizations this year ready to welcome students back to campus and promote their own organization.
Laura Davis, who is in charge of setting up and running Valley Ballyhoo, is excited to reveal the new events taking place on Saturday in addition to Valley Ballyhoo event itself.
“From 7-9 p.m., there will be two of the best Asheville bands playing at the Fountain with free pizza from Papa Johns,” said Davis. “The bands are Kovacs and the Polar Bear and Floating Action…. After the shows, at 9 p.m., we will be doing a free screening of “Cabin in the Woods” on the UC Lawn. Students should bring blankets and chairs for the movie!”
Sunday there will be the Village Palooza from 3-7 p.m. and Tubing on the Tuck with Base Camp Cullowhee!
When classes start, the festivities do not end! On Monday, Aug. 20, the highlights are the 3rd Annual Wacky Water Olympics at 6:30 p.m. in Balsam and Blue Ridge. There is also two Ice Cream Socials at 8 p.m., one in Scott Blue and one in the Central Drive Multipurpose Room. Western Carolina is also showing “21 Jump Street” on the UC Lawn at 9 p.m.
Tuesday there will be a Barbecue Bash in between Harrill, Albright and Benton at 6:30 p.m. with another ice cream social at Norton’s Multipurpose Room at 8 p.m.
Wednesday there is a WoW concert at the Central Plaza with the DJ starting at 6 p.m. and Sean Kingston, who is known for hits like “Fire Burning” and “Beautiful Girls,” starting his concert at 7:30 p.m.
There will be a whole variety of activities on Thursday, August 23. There will be Group X Jam, an exercise sample activity, from 5:30-7 p.m. There will also be a pasta social in the Madison Conference Room at 8 p.m. Also, there is the 4th annual Student Employment Fair in the University Center Grandroom from 4-8 p.m. The Student Employment Fair is the opportune way to find a job that meets your monetary needs and fits your schedule. Several employers, including The Western Carolinian, set up tables and inform students about the opportunities available through their organizations and companies. According to the Non Work-Study Student Employment webpage, student employees are given five different skills through their work experiences: “communicate effectively and responsibly, practice civic engagement, integrate and apply information from a variety of context, solve complex problems and clarify and act on their own purpose and values.” Students can also use the webpage to look for specific jobs posted by university employers.
There will be more Tubing on the Tuck with Base Camp on August 24 as well as a movie presentation of “The Avengers” from Last Minute Productions. There will also be a Stoplight party in Walker Lobby from 10 p.m.-midnight. At a Stoplight party, students wear specific colors as a way to express their relationship status.
Finally, the last day of the week ends with a grand finale of dancing and swimming. Dance Team Tryouts will be held in the CRC Studios from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on Aug. 25. Base Camp Cullowhee is also running a swimming hole hike starting at 9 a.m.
For a full detailed schedule, check out http://www.wcu.edu/9787.asp.
