August 24, 2022 – Millikin University’s annual New Student Welcome Week took place campus-wide from August 16 to 21 to celebrate the arrival of incoming members of the Big Blue community. The week of events kicked off with the excitement of first-year students moving into their residential halls, meeting their roommates and making their new homes at Millikin.
Nicole DeLiberis, director of campus life for residential communities, was thrilled to see new students bring Millikin’s campus to life after summer break.
“We are really excited for new students to come back on campus for move-ins,” she said, mentioning how the term “new student” encompasses more than traditional first-year students fresh from high school graduation.
“This year, we welcome many new students, from international students to transfer students, in addition to our first-year students.”
The programming for New Student Welcome Week is geared toward every type of new student at Millikin, including those transferring from other colleges and local students who commute to campus for classes. During their first day at Millikin, following move-in and orientation meetings, new students met their Student Experience Ambassadors (SEAs), attended the welcome assembly and were entertained by a magician before settling in for their first night on campus.
On Wednesday some students took a math placement exam bright and early before a full day of learning about campus life. That evening, the Student Involvement Fair introduced new students to the 75+ organizations and clubs across campus, including Greek Life, service groups, athletics and much more. Students like senior Jarius Ingram, a biology major, scholar, basketball player and SEA, serve as an example that there is no limit to the activities that students can get involved in at Millikin. Learn more about Jarius here.
Important topics, such as Title IX, healthy relationships and mental health were addressed during Thursday’s lineup. Following dinner, however, students let loose, dancing and enjoying themselves at a foam party on the quad. Watch a video recap of the foam party excitement.
Friday’s programming covered more topics meant to introduce students to the full scope of academic opportunities and resources at Millikin, along with the University’s hallmark approach to education, Performance Learning. Students learned how they can apply what they’re learning in the classroom to real-world business ventures, community involvement, performing arts and more.
While the much-anticipated Day of Service was canceled on Saturday due to inclement weather, new students got the chance to settle into college life with free time throughout the day. On Saturday evening, the traditional Candlelight Ceremony took place, where juniors and seniors give a piece of advice about how to make the most of Millikin to first-year students. Soon after, students made their way over to the University Commons (UC) for headphone disco.
On the final day of New Student Welcome Week, between designated free time and runs to Walmart, students took part in the BIPOC/Multicultural Empowerment Brunch, arts and music students performed auditions and all of the students who had returned to campus celebrated with a Welcome Back BBQ.
Finally, after class pictures in front of the UC, the Millikin student body attended the Opening Convocation to hear Millikin’s President Dr. Jim Reynolds address the University community and welcome a new academic year.
Classes officially started at Millikin University on Monday, August 22.
