For Val Johnstone, coming to STU was an accident.
The first year student from Harpswell, Maine was touring UNB when she stumbled upon the tiny liberal arts school at the top of the hill.
“The people here were so great and they were putting such an emphasis on humanities and the importance of making a difference and that’s what I want to do,” Johnstone said.
Johnstone was one of over 500 students who took part in this year’s Welcome Week activities, which welcomed incoming students to the STU community and help them transition into university life.
Welcome Week Chair, Nicole Pozer, says she recognizes that it’s harder for some students to make the jump from high school to university, but the week’s events are planned to help with the move.
“There’s a lot of school spirit here, a lot of house spirit and I think that it’s important that students have a welcome week, just so that they know that they are a part of our community,” she said.
Pozer said the theme, STU Epic, was chosen because it reflects the journey students embark on as they begin university.
“In an epic, a hero is fighting with an army of sorts or a battalion and they’re all fighting toward a similar goal,” she said.
Pozer also said the ‘epic’ theme was appropriate because of its academic connection. Events like the Odell Odyssey gave students a glimpse at some of the topics they will explore as a liberal arts student.
“We just wanted to place some buzz words in welcome week to help students realize that academics don’t have to be a straight line and it can be fun and exciting and new,” Pozer said.
Events took place all week both on and off campus and included a night of inflatable games and karaoke, a coffee house, the Freddy Beach barbeque at Officer’s Square and a concert featuring Grand Theft Bus.
A crowd favourite was the cheer-off that left Holy Cross House to their first victory in over ten years. Limited by their small numbers, the residence has long been considered an underdog in such events. When Pozer announced their win, immediate celebration erupted, some students were even brought to tears.
First-year student Julie Melanson of Moncton says it was one of the highlights of her first week at STU.
“You could feel the spirit in the whole crowd,” she said.“You could tell that everyone was just so excited to be there and so excited to start the welcome week.”
At the T-pin ceremony, the class of 2015 was formally welcomed by newly appointed university president Dawn Russell, who encouraged them to enter their studies with an open mind and to take university as a chance to transform themselves into the best scholar and best person they can be.
“This is a sanctuary for the sharing of ideas,” Russell said during her speech. “But don’t forget to have fun. Take time to enjoy this chapter in your life.”
And that’s exactly what Pozer hopes this year’s welcome week activities accomplished.
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