Welcome Week welcomes students old and new
With classes beginning yesterday, it is a new start for a lot of students. The rush of designing a new room and meeting new people can be exciting, and Minnesota State University, Mankato kicked off the fun with some exciting events. Welcome week activities included the New Student Rally, a hypnotist show, and the signature Galactic Bingo.
So, what are new students thinking of all the commotion? MSU freshman Olivia Stark said, “I really liked bingo. Because I’m from a smaller town, it was really fun to have a ton of people in one room. It was so fun.”
Stark also shared her first impression of life at the dorms.
“I live like two hours away, so I thought I’d be really homesick because I’m close to family, but I do actually feel really comfortable here. I really like the people on my floor,” said Stark. “They’re sweet and relatable, because a lot of them I’ve met are freshmen, which is nice.”
Following the Welcome week activities, campus has plenty of ways for students to get involved and enjoy the new school year. The Involvement Fair is coming up Wednesday, August 31 for students to discover clubs and organizations, seek out part-time jobs, or find fun ways to volunteer.
In the meantime, there’s plenty of things to explore around campus. New food options for both freshman and returning students in the CSU include Firehouse Subs, Hissho Sushi, Peking Plate, and Starbucks.
Some students are also taking advantage of their Community Assistant’s guided tours around the school. Stark mentioned that she was looking forward to classes in the Clinical Sciences Building, because she likes the design of the building.
“My roommate and I, we’ve gone and walked around and stuff. And then I went on the tour with my CA. It was really nice for her to show us around campus,” said Stark.
Speaking of classes, Stark said, “I did PSEO in my hometown, so I knew how to work D2L, but just being in person made me a little nervous.”
She’s also excited to look into education and women’s clubs and organizations on campus. Beyond exploring, Stark has been putting herself out there.
“[I’ve been] going around saying hi to people. I’ve been knocking on people’s doors on my floor just saying hi and going to events,” said Stark.
She’s also excited to look into education and women’s clubs and organizations on campus.
Furthermore, the CSU Art Gallery opens tomorrow, August 23, with a collection by Dana Sikkila, as well as the MavFest event. The event is hosted by the Student Events Team in celebration of Maverick Pride.
Hopefully with the multitude of school-hosted events, new students will be able to meet friends and make themselves at home and consider themselves a true Maverick.
Header Photo: Welcome Week is in full swing, with hundreds of new students exploring MSU’s campus and all of the fun activities planned this week.(Akay Kasaudhan/The Reporter)
Write to Lilly Schmidt at Lillian at lillian.schmidt@mnsu.edu