Amid the chaos that comes with college move-in days, Housing and Residence Life hosted its Welcome Home Party between the Woods and the Quad this past Thursday. The event showcased NMU’s lively atmosphere with plenty of entertainment and was the first of many events to take place during NMU’s Welcome Weekend. New and returning students alike were brought together for the kick-off of the 2023-2024 school year.
The party had many places to socialize along with activities such as inflatables, yard games, caricature drawings, ice cream bars, snacks and photo stations. A DJ booth was stationed at the center of the party, and students were able to gather while dancing to remixes and catching up with others on campus. After dark, a laser light show was casted on the side of the Woods, and students could watch it before heading to their dorms afterwards.
For many, the Welcome Home Party was students’ first exposure to their new community. Underclassmen were given the chance to familiarize themselves with the campus while getting to know others in their same position. Finding new friends is stressful, and opportunities like these give newcomers a chance to find their place. Abry Waters, for example, transferred to NMU for her third year of college. She had a lot to get used to on her first day, and this event helped her get comfortable before spending her first night in the dorms.
“It was really fun to do stuff with other people, and to take my mind off of being homesick,” Waters said. “My parents just left so I’m a little sad, but it’s nice to hang out with people and get to meet some new girls.”
For Waters, the Welcome Home Party was one of her first impressions of student life on campus. She met new friends during her visit and played card games and minute-to-win-it and posed for pictures before heading to her dorm feeling optimistic.
“[NMU seems] very welcoming, and it seems easy to get to know people,” Waters said.
The party was also an essential way to help students build relationships before the start of the fall semester.
“It’s important to connect and to see who is in your program, and to have a support system,” said Arielle Christensen, a first-year student who moved into the Woods that morning. “[At the Welcome Home Party], I got to connect with one of my suitemates, and to talk to others to see if we have any classes together.”
Students were given an opportunity to socialize on their first few days of living on campus. Many found friends and classmates that they would not have met otherwise and could distract themselves from a long day of traveling and moving. Following the Welcome Home Party, events such as a rock hunting tour, an outdoor movie night and a poster sale will continue to greet new students as they prepare for their year at NMU.
