GovState kicked off its Fall 2024 term on Monday, Aug. 26, with a full day of classes and a Welcome Week filled with fun.
Welcome Week is GovState’s annual tradition that offers a week-long schedule of activities for students. The week started with a Speed Friending event in the Hall of Governors. This was an opportunity for students to mix and mingle over lunch. Similar events held were the International Mix and Mingle and La Bienvenida.
Faculty and staff collaborated with student leaders to foster an environment where students can feel welcome and motivated. Committees for welcome week were even able to pull together a trip for students to a Chicago Sky Women’s Basketball game and a Welcome Back Bash in the E- Lounge.
Welcome Week is not all about fun and games, however. It is a time for students to be introduced to resources on campus. For example, this week there was an Open House for the library, a Student Employment Fair, a Secretary of State Mobile Unit and a giving event for the GovState Food Pantry.
Events like these are vital to helping students get acclimated to what often can be a stressful first week. It is important that students are informed about the resources available to them on campus. Organizations like the Center for Student Engagement and Intercultural Programs work to ensure that these resources are accessible while promoting a sense of belonging and connectedness.
On Thursday, Aug. 29, the annual GovState Block Party took place. The Block Party and its food, games, music and giveaways revolve around an exhibition of the many on campus clubs, organizations and local chapters of fraternities and sororities along with community partners. Students who find a club or organization to join often create a more engaging and enriching college experience.
Take a walk through D Building and you’ll sense an energetic buzz in the air. After a fantastic Welcome Week celebration and more programming to follow, this Fall 2024 semester is set to bring us one step closer to completing our educational goals and have fun doing it.