SHSU Welcome Week scheduled

The Department of Student Activities will introduce students to SHSU with a variety of Welcome Week activities.

More than 150 volunteers from various organizations and athletic teams will help kick off “Welcome Week 2008: Bearkat Nation,” on Thursday, when they will lend a hand during “New Student Move-In” from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at residence halls around campus.

“Welcome Week is really the ‘grand opening’ for college life for most students,” said Student Activities manager Brandon Cooper. “It’s an opportunity to showcase all of the wonderful areas and programs that we have at Sam Houston State University and welcome either new students attending or the students returning.”

On Friday, the Office of Multicultural and International Student Services will help freshman students “Find their Classes with SAMentors” from 11 a.m. to noon in the Lowman Student Center Fountain Area.

That evening, students are invited to a luau, featuring American-Hawaiian foods, followed by an outdoor presentation of the feature film, “Iron Man,” starring Robert Downey, Jr.

The “Luau and a Movie,” hosted by the Program Council, will be held from 7-10 p.m. in the Old Main Pit.

On Saturday, SAMentors and Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity will host “Elite,” a program geared toward helping freshman minority students succeed academically and socially during their college transition, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in various LSC locations.

Later that afternoon, university President Jim Gaertner and other administrators and faculty members will welcome new students and their parents to campus during the “New Student Convocation.”

The ceremony, held from 5:15-6:15 p.m. in the Johnson Coliseum, will also include keynote speaker Byron V. Garrett, who will encourage students to make the most of their college experience.

Following the convocation, students are invited to join the “Recreational Sports Block Party” fun, with inflatables, a variety of contests, free snow cones and T-shirts, from 7-10 p.m. at Intramural Field No. 1.

On Sunday, students will have a chance to learn about different faiths represented on campus and how to become more involved during the “Religious Organizations’ Fair,” from 4-7 p.m. at the various organizations’ facilities.

Also on Sunday, the “Ravenfest Beach Bash” will feature a Dive-In Movie, sand castle building contest, pool games, slip and slide, and free food and drinks, at 8 p.m. at the Health and Kinesiology Center Pool.

On Monday evening, Student Activities invites students to enjoy a free night of karaoke, food, fun and prizes at “The Kat’s Meow,” from 5:30-8:30 p.m. in the LSC Kat Klub.

A “Party in the Pit,” hosted by Residence Life, will immediately follow the night of fun, from 9 p.m. to midnight in the Old Main Pit.

On Tuesday, the Student Activities Leadership Initiative will host speaker Mike McCall, president of Lon Morris College, who will address the importance of the first year experience and student involvement, at 3 p.m. in the Smith-Hutson Building’s Haney Auditorium.

Also on Tuesday, students can try their luck at the annual “PC Casino Night,” from 6-10 p.m. in the LSC Ballroom.

Participants will be able to play free casino games for the opportunity to win prizes.

On Wednesday, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the LSC Mall Area, students can join the Office of MISS at one of the biggest celebrations of diversity on campus each year at “Dive into Diversity.”

“Keeping students aware of diversity issues is so important in today’s global world,” said MISS program coordinator Ashley McDonough. “The program is designed to help students learn more about what the Office of MISS does and how they can become more involved in diversity events on campus in the future.”

In addition, the PC will be handing out free promotional items to students in order to introduce the campus community to their new programming board during the “PC Grab and Go,” from noon to 2 p.m. in the LSC Mall Area.

On Wednesday evening, Student Activities will teach students how to “kick butt” nutritionally on foods they love to eat, including pizza, burgers and chips with a presentation on “Fighting the Freshman 15,” from 6-8 p.m. in the LSC Mall Area.

During the event, Tom Ryan, a veteran tri-athlete, will share his tips that have helped thousands of people get real facts on fitness and nutrition for more than 20 years. Ryan is a member of the Reebok Alliance Team and has competed in the Hawaiian Ironman World Triathlon Championships and Ironman USA.

Aug. 28 will be a chance to show your Bearkat spirit, beginning with a PC Tailgate from 4-6 p.m. in Bearkat Alley, followed by a Bearkat football game versus the East Central University Tigers from Oklahoma at 6 p.m. at Bowers Stadium.

Finally, on Aug. 29 Student Activities will wind down the eventful week and kick off the holiday weekend with a “Pre-Labor Day Picnic” from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in The Quad.

For more information on any of the Welcome Week events, call the Student Activities office at (936) 294-3861.