Great beginnings. Thats what West Virginia University students can expect this weekend as they roll into town for what will surely be among the best years of their lives.
WVU ’s annual New Student Convocation to introduce freshmen and transfer students to academic life and learning is set for Sunday, Aug. 20, at the Creative Arts Center. Two ceremonies will be held to accommodate students one at 1 p.m.; the other at 4 p.m.
The event is a chance for the Class of 2004 to meet and hear from WVU President David C. Hardesty Jr. whose talk,”Great Beginnings,”will set the stage for students as they embark on their college years.
Vice President Ken Gray will echo these sentiments in his remarks,”Great Traditions,”touching on what makes WVU unique, while Student Administration President David Workman plans to talk to his peers about”Building Great Spirit”by getting involved in student organizations like the Mountaineer Maniacs booster group and others.
Students will also hear brief welcoming messages from Morgantown Mayor Frank Scafella addressing a”Great Community,”and Faculty Senate Chair Robert Griffith talking about”Great Challenges”ahead.
Its all part of the Universitys new theme,”Where Greatness is Learned,”being launched this fall.
President Hardesty said the convocation is a chance for freshmen”to get their feet squarely planted in University life as they begin a new chapter in their young adult lives.”
The University Choir, under the direction of Kathleen Shannon, will also perform, and Vice President Amanda Walker will lead students in reciting the Mountaineer Creed.
Resident Faculty Leaders for the residence halls will also be on handRobert and Rebecca Deauville, Braxton Tower; Robin Jones, Arnold Hall; Hillar and Brit Klandorf, Lyon Tower; Diana Middleton, Summit Hall and Commuting Students; Gus and Joan Paglialunga, Bennett Tower; David and Debbi Pariser, Dadisman/Stalnaker Halls; Tim and Lori Pearson, Brooke Tower; and David and Shawna Stewart, Boreman Hall.
Buses to and from the residence halls and Creative Arts Center will run throughout the afternoon.
WVUp All Night a weekend package of safe, fun, healthy activitiesis set for Thursday-Saturday (Aug. 17-19) night in the Lair.
FallFest WVUs annual welcome back extravaganza on the Mountainlair Plazais set for Monday, Aug. 21, beginning at 7:15 p.m. and ending around 1 p.m. The feature attraction is the headliner rock band”Live,”followed by three other performing groupsKhiaro Scuro, Virginia Coalition and Fuel.
Inside the Lair, students can take in a Samuel L. Jackson film festival, comedy club, a hip_hop dance party and more. Its for WVU students and their guests only with proper ID. University buses and the PRT will operate on an extended schedule (until 2 a.m.).
No hard containers, coolers or laser pointers allowed, and there will be limited beer sales to those of legal age. Free soft drinks will be available along with minimum-priced snacks.
Also on tap is a” Welcome to Touchdown City “pep rally at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 1, on the Lair Plaza to kick off the opening game against Boston College at noon the following day (Sept. 2).
The Mountaineer Marching Band, Mountaineer Maniacs student booster club, head coach Don Nehlen and Mountaineer team captains are all expected to be on hand. The event is co-sponsored by The Dominion Post.
A limited number of”rowdy rags”will also be availablecourtesy of the Maniacswhile supplies last.
Rain plan: Lair Ballrooms.