The University’s annual Week of Welcome was extended to two weeks this year, giving students more time to explore different organizations on campus.
Latasha Lewis, programming assistant for the Ferguson Center, said the goal is to get students out and about on campus and exploring their options. She said they had to add more days to the Week of Welcome in order to accommodate all the organizations that wanted to participate.
“It’s awesome that we can showcase so many organizations and opportunities on campus,” she said. “Having a longer week just shows how much we have to offer students.”
The week began with An Evening by the River, sponsored by the Black Warrior Riverkeeper Society and hosted by Cypress Inn, on Aug. 17. The event gave new students and their parents a chance to enjoy and learn more about the Black Warrior River and enjoy good food from a local favorite.
Students also filled the Ferguson Theater for a private showing of The Hunger Games on Saturday, Aug. 18. According to Kyle Borland, a sophomore who attended, the showing was a hit.
“There were so many people there; they turned away about 200 people,” he said. “The theater was packed.”
Borland also said due to the crowd, the organization ran out of some of the information they were distributing.
Aylin Wispeler, an international student from Germany, also enjoyed the movie and the chance to meet new friends.
“It was really nice because we met so many people, and there was a lot of free stuff,” she said. “The atmosphere was great, and I think everyone had a good time.”
Wispeler said, as an international student, she appreciates the chance to branch out through the Week of Welcome.
“It’s a really good thing for students who don’t know many people because they have a lot of opportunities to meet new friends,” she said.
Another favorite event was Splash of Crimson: DIY Paintings for Your Room. Emily Nieman, a UA junior, said she had fun painting and meeting fellow artists.
“It was great!” Nieman said. “I think events like these really do help students get to know each other because it gives them an event to bond at.”
The Ferguson Center and SGA will also offer students breakfast on Wednesday and Thursday from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. Both will be in the Ferguson Center Plaza.
On Sunday, Aug. 26, students have the opportunity to explore more than Tuscaloosa with the Ferguson Center’s trip to the Huntsville Space and Rocket Center. Buses will depart from the Ferguson Plaza at 10 a.m. Admission is free, and students can reserve their tickets at uaferguson.tix.com.
On Thursday, Aug. 30, the Week of Welcome culminates with Get on Board Day, which will include over 400 student organizations on campus that will be recruiting and advertising to new and returning students. It will be in the Ferguson Center Promenade from 5 to 10 p.m.
For more information about Week of Welcome, visit wow.ua.edu.
