August 23, 2012

More than 1,000 students moved in to the student housing at Shawnee State University the past week getting ready for the fall semester. Welcome Weekend was scheduled with support and fun things to do for the new students beginning on Thursday, Aug. 16.

Besides moving in, everything from connecting to the Internet to a Family Farewell Cookout, Shawnee Gives Back, crafts, how to protect yourself safety class, game shows, job searches, and entertainment was planned for the students.

The 650 new students have come from all over the United States and as far as California. The 21 international students arrived the past two weeks from Costa Rica, El Salvador, Uzbekistan, Belarus, Pakistan, Kosovo, Germany, Spain, Morocco, China, England, Nigeria, Thailand, India, Jordan, Vietnam, Brazil and the Ivory Coast.

New students moved in Thursday, Aug. 16 and 400 returning students moved in on Sunday, Aug. 19.

"Welcome Weekend is designed to help students build connections – a vital key in student retention," Dr. Rita Rice Morris, SSU president, said. "The weekend features sessions to help students set-up e-mail accounts, meet with academic advisors, become more familiar with student business services and learn more about opportunities and resources available on campus."

As part of Welcome Weekend, SSU students also participated in SSU Gives Back, a day of community service, which was held on Friday, Aug. 17 from 10 a.m. to noon. About 650 new students volunteered at 38 different local agencies.

"Our students build connections with the community from day one and learn more about the volunteer opportunities available," Morris said. "Shawnee Gives Back has become an important annual event for our new students."