Northwest Missouri State University - Tower Yearbook (Maryville, MO)

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JOKING FOR A CLASS. Heather Warner and Michelle Masin k over the schedule of class offerings during Freshman minar, The required class offered freshmen an introduction to gistration and other University procedures. Photo by Scott nson S OVER THERE. After giving parents a tour of campus, Student mbassador Brandon Russell answers questions. Upperclass- en from several organizations helped make new students feel ymfortable at Northwest. Photo by Sc ott Jenson EYES ON THE TRACK. Using their shoes as binoculars, hypno- tized students watch an imaginary horse race during a perfor- mance by Dr. Jim Wand. Wand’s show, inaddition to other social events, was a major part of Orientation Week activities. Photo by Scott Jenson FOLLOW THE MAP. Upperclassmen volunteers direct newly arriving families during Orientation Week. Due to the inconve- nience of unfinished construction projects, members of the Northwest Support Staff gave directions and helped route traffic. Photo by Don Carrick

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Hot temperatures and endless classes typify a summer in the VILLE It was hot. Many students were bored, and Maryville was deserted. And to top it all off, the students who were here had class four days a week, three to six hours a day. There was no break from classes, and there was no break from Maryville. A majority of students planned for va- cations, sandy beaches, summer jobs or just plain fun in the sun. It was time for a great escape to the outside civilization, a fast-paced life in a larger city, or just summer vacation at home. Others chose to stay in the ‘Ville to further their education or to catch up on their credits. In fact, many of the students who went to summer school liked it bet- ter than classes held in the fall and spring. “I liked classes better because you could really concentrate on material,” Kristin Preston said. “You could take a test before forgetting the information. I was more relaxed.” In addition, Preston said it was a busy time. Because of the work load, students did not have much free time. Social life was pretty much the same as during the regular academic year. Stu- dents went bowling, swimming and to the movies. Students also spent time at the bar. Although many students spent time at the bars, business was slower, just as it was for other Maryville establishments. John Wanninger, co-owner of The Outback, said there was not a large num- ber of people who went out on week- nights. “We pretty much eliminated the Over Under nights for the summer,” he said. “We tried to bring in some more country- oriented bands for the summer to attract the local community.” Even Dominos Pizza’s business was affected by the summer months. “Business slowed down quite a bit,” Kurt Sempf, assistant manager said. “Even when the Nodaway County Fair was going on, everything seemed to slow down in the community as opposed to the past. I don’t know if it was the economy or what. This town was really dead.” Many escaped the Maryville dol- drums by leaving town for a more exciting night life elsewhere. “We road tripped to Kansas City, Omaha and Des Moines to see friends,” Kathy Steiner said. “You could only go bowling so many times.” Steiner said summer was monotonous. “There was nothing to do but drink and lay out a lot of the time,” she said. Other students opted to try new things. Craig Carmichael said he and his friends went tubing down the 102 River. “It was my birthday, and we started tubing at three in the afternoon and didn’t get done until 11 that night,” Carmichael said. “We underestimated the distance and speed of the river.” Although class work and commitments kept students busy, it was important to many to reserve time for friends. “T studied a lot and worked,” Michelle Cain said. “But most importantly, I made sure I had fun.” Whether it was studying, bowling or just hanging out, students made the best of their summer in Maryville. “We had a pretty good summer,” Carmichael said. “Basically, we went to an occasional Royals game, tubed down the river and drank; end of story.” time.” BY KELLIE WATT “There was nothing to do but drink and lay out a lot of the —Kathy Steiner

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Orientation program helps new students take their first step in the right DIRECTION Freshman orientation at most universities consists of a one-day visit to the campus during the summer. However, since 1986, Northwest had been utilizing a new week-long orientation program that gave freshmen more advantages as they started college. Many freshmen found the program an asset to their transition into college life. “Tt was helpful to be able to familiarize myself with the campus without the immediate demand of classes,” freshman Andrea Riggs said. “Having that time gave me achance to meeta lot of people and to have fun.” According to Admissions Director Michael Walsh, the Admissions Office hoped to “It was helpful to be able to familiarize myself with the Cutting Playfair came mostly from evaluations. “That event was not well attended and not well evaluated by last year’s freshmen,” Walsh said. “In fact, it turned out to be one of the lowest-ranked activities in the evaluation.” Many students who at- tended Playfair in the past agreed with last year’s fresh- man class. “Playfair was built up to be something really fun, but it make new students com- campus without the was kind of awkward,” senior pletely comfortable in their ; Laurie Waldbillig said. “You new environment. immediate demand of were forced to mingle. A lot “Getting started on the right of people decided to skip it.” foot was very important,” classes. o Walsh said the planning Walsh said. “The initial staff was aware some activi- couple of days can set the tone P -Andrea Riggs ties would be a hit one year for their college careers.” After settling, the new arrivals were ready to participate in ‘‘one of the most painless” registra- tions around, according to Walsh. Each student was assigned an adviser and then registered for classes according to their summer placement scores. The summer placement tests were a part of many changes made in the orientation package. “Nothing was sacred when planning for Orienta- tion,” Walsh said. “Everything was up for discus- sion. We made some changes this year, and we’ll make more next year.” Walsh said the popularity of an activity was based on written evaluations. These evaluations were taken into account when considering whether the activity was retained. Walsh said this process had led to the elimination of the keynote speaker and Playfair. “The keynote speaker was well received,” Walsh said. “However, many parents were concerned that it gave them a late start home. We took that into consideration and after some discussion it was de- cided to cut it from the schedule.” and a miss the next. “What students enjoy doesn’t change overnight, but it does change over the course of a few years,” he said. “We were trying to keep current with what the new students related to.” The primary goal of the University during Orien- tation was to establish the students on campus and to ready them for the year ahead. “We wanted the parents to leave with a trust in the University,” Walsh said. “In addition, we wanted the freshmen to have a lifeline of support. If this happened, then a freshman had a better chance of becoming a sophomore here.” Walsh said the program provided a head start. “Our freshmen were more informed,” he added. “They had the undivided attention of faculty and staff for a couple of days.” Walsh said the work put into Orientation was the key to keeping new students at Northwest. “A good Orientation helped bridge the student's transition into college,” he said. “With it, the fresh- man developed a positive attitude toward the college and their reason for being here.” BY JAMI JOHNSON Orerentation 11