Saint Martin’s University is all about hospitality, and the welcome mat will be out next week as the University greets the newest members of its community. About 252 first-year students are expected to arrive on campus Aug. 26 for Move-In and Welcome Day, the official kick-off to the 2016-17 academic year. They compose the Class of 2020, the largest in Saint Martin’s history.
Current students, employees, and other volunteers will be on hand from8 a.m. until about 1 p.m. that day at the University’s Parsons Hall to help students and their families cart boxes and belongings to the students’ new living quarters, said Tim McClain, director of housing and residence life. About 194 first-year students are expected to move into residence halls that day, he said.
Katie Wieliczkiewicz, director of campus life, said, “We are incredibly excited to welcome our largest first-year class to campus this fall, and are thankful for the student leaders serving as orientation leaders, the dozens of faculty, staff and students helping with move-in, and the countless partners on campus who make this program work.”
After settling in, students, their families and faculty members will gather for New Student Convocation at 1:30 p.m. in Marcus Pavilion. After a 4 p.m. social to bid good-bye to parents and families, students begin a series of orientation activities and social events.
The three days of Incipio – orientation – help bind new students to the school, get acquainted with classmates and facilities and give them important information about aspects of University life, Wieliczkiewicz said. Events range from a root beer social to Green Dot safety training.
Wieliczkiewicz says this year’s Incipio will have a strong focus on community, a core Saint Martin’s value. In keeping with the theme, they’ll hear a panel discussion about service and some of the many service opportunities in the Greater Olympia Area. Panelists are Robert Coit, executive director of the Thurston County Food Bank; Jon Tunheim, Thurston County prosecuting attorney; Elaine Vradenburgh, founder and curator of Window Seat Media; and Joe Ingoglia, director of organizational development for the Boys and Girls Clubs of America.
Later that morning, students will get an opportunity to explore downtown Olympia and can complete in an Instagram photo contest that includes photos of their favorite new Olympia spot.
