A record 5,000-plus freshmen at West Virginia University will have a chance to bond, learn about college life and sing karaoke as part of University Welcome Sunday, Aug. 17.

Interim WVU President C. Peter Magrath will formally greet first-year students at the annual day-before-school event, which begins at 2 p.m. in the Coliseum and includes an introductory video.

I look forward to meeting with the class of 2012,Magrath said.Students are the heart of any university, and encouraging members of the freshman class in their decision to pursue a higher education is one of the more important duties of any college president.

Freshmen are required to attend University Welcomeformerly New Student Convocationas part of University 101. The event is also open to transfer students with less than 29 credit hours.

Its very important for the freshmen to see themselves as one class, so this will give them that opportunity,said Stephanie Conrad, interim director of University Events .

It also introduces them to key people and programs that are vital to their success at the University,Conrad added.Theyll hear about topics such as residence hall life, transportation, getting involved, discipline, leadership, tradition.

In conjunction with the event, information stations will be set up in the concourse area from 1-2 p.m. and 3-4 p.m. as most students arrive and depart by bus.

The stations will combine information and fun. For instance, the Student Government Association will provide information about SGA as well as have games for freshmen to play. To promote Mountaineer Idol , WVU s version ofAmerican Idol,employees of the Mountainlair will have a karaoke machine for students who want to show off their vocal chords.

The fair will offer students an activity while theyre waiting for the presentations to start,Conrad said.

University Welcome is part of Welcome Week , a series of activities designed to acclimate first-year students to college life.