[062] Week of Welcome activities greet new, returning MTSU students

MURFREESBORO — Thousands of MTSU students will arrive on campus this week to begin the fall semester and start the 2015-16 academic year.

The mix of new freshmen and transfers will join returning students in their quest for academic success and the experience of college life.

To help jump-start the fall, New Student and Family Programs offers Week of Welcome activities with the theme “Raiders Just Wanna Have Fun.”

Week of Welcome activities will run from Friday, Aug. 21, through Monday, Sept. 7, when “Eighties Night” — a fun time in what’s typically a quiet zone — takes place from 6 to 9 p.m. in the James E. Walker Library to conclude the special events.

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. 24. To see the complete list of Week of Welcome activities, visit http://www.mtsu.edu/nsfp/welcome.php.

“Students look forward to Week of Welcome each year,” said Jacki Lancaster, coordinator in New Student and Family Programs. “It’s such an exciting time on campus for everyone — new and returning students and their families.”

“Week of Welcome provides the perfect opportunity for new students to get their MTSU experience off on the right track,” Lancaster added. “There are events for students to have fun, meet new people and bring their entire family. We look forward to having the campus buzzing with students and their families this weekend.”

Activities include:

• We-Haul — 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Aug. 21-22, at campus residence halls. MTSU and off-campus organizations assist with students’ move-in.

• University Convocation followed by the President's Picnic — 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 23, in Murphy Center. Convocation features Jay Allison, author of “This I Believe II: More Personal Philosophies of Remarkable Men and Women,” the Summer Reading Selection for the Class of 2019.

• Meet Murfreesboro — 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, Aug. 25-26, in the Student Union Commons. Students learn about city businesses and restaurants.

• Volunteer Fair — 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 1, in the Student Union Commons. Organizations provide students with volunteer options.

• Comedy show — 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 4, in Tucker Theatre. Featuring comedian Ben Bailey.

• Tailgating and MTSU football — 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 5, for student tailgate event in Walnut Grove and 6 p.m. kickoff for Blue Raiders vs. Jackson State game in Floyd Stadium.

• Music, fun and lots of free food — throughout the two-plus weeks of activities.

Students are encouraged to bring their IDs for Connection Point activities, helping them become connected and engaged in the campus.