Gordon College Welcomes New Students to Bright Futures

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 16, 2010

MEDIA CONTACT
Natalie Ferjulian
Office of College Communications
978.867.4752
[email protected]

WENHAM, MA—With the Wenham weather forecast showing bright skies for move-in day, Gordon College will welcome 438 new students to campus on Friday, August 20, for the 2010-2011 academic year.

While there are 78 transfer or consortium students beginning their time at Gordon, 360 students are moving away from home for the first time and will be greeted upon entering campus with cold drinks from First Lady, Jan Carlberg, and President R. Judson Carlberg himself.

“It starts with handing out a water bottle and ends with handing out a diploma,” said President Carlberg.  “I’m excited to travel alongside these new students as they begin their academic careers.”

To help with the new students’ process, 10 orientation staff leaders have been planning the new student orientation program and training 58 volunteer student crew members since January.  All core staff members and orientation crew members are current students hand selected for their leadership qualities.

“We’re thrilled to have these new students arrive on campus,” said Julie Ray, associate dean of first year experience who oversees the orientation process.  “Our goal is to create confidence in them as they navigate a new environment and to help them start the process of succeeding at Gordon.”

Twenty-one international students will be joining the Gordon community from as far as Korea, the Philippines, Tanzania, Kazakhstan, Japan, Niger, Switzerland and Egypt.

“It’s all about getting new students to feel comfortable and connected,” said returning core staffer, Christine Hunkler ’11, a German and elementary education double major from Switzerland.  “The relationships built between leaders and their student crews are huge because they’re the initial connection that new students make on campus.”

With the number of informative activities, games and adventure-filled days planned for new students, Ray believes it would be hard not make friends.  

“Boston day is always the highest rated event,” said Ray.  “It’s great that we can take advantage of what the city has to offer.”

As well as Boston day, the orientation program includes numerous ice breaker  games, a coffee house, faculty-staff dessert night, a campus block party and many instructional meetings in between.

Many of the meetings include practical information about getting acclimated to campus, college academics and the involvement opportunities available.

“We’re really trying to show students that they need to own this experience and make their own decisions and choices, which can be scary,” said Ray.  “At the same time, we want them to know that we as an institution are here to support them.”

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