University of Mississippi - Ole Miss Yearbook (Oxford, MS)

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For four days each week in June, 23 upper- classmen forced themselves to wake up before the rest of the world to prepare for one of the most important events at the University of Mississippi: freshmen ori- entation. Saying a prayer to begin each day, the group met outside of the North- gate Apartment Complex before heading to Martin- dale to start what would seem to be a never-ending day. Hip-hop music set the tone of the day as the orientation leaders en- ergetically prepared to welcome Ole Miss ' newest students. With no time for even the slightest amount of grogginess, the leaders exuded vigor and outgoingness. Alex Pence, a fresh- man psychology and journalism major, said, The friendliness of the orientation leaders really put me at ease and made me feel not as nervous. I knew I had found my home when I came to Ole Miss that day. Resembling shepherds tending their flock, the ori- entation leaders gathered all the incoming students and their parents in Fulton Chapel. Roun McNeal, ASB president, Rob- ert Khayat, the university ' s chancellor, and Carolyn Staton, the university ' s provost, gave the welcoming speeches filled with advice on making an easy transition to college. The leaders then showed off their dance moves in a choreographed dance, which was impressive enough to intimi- date any professional backup dancer. It was a great way to start the day off. It was high energy and got people pumped up and in the spirit, plus we got to show off our sweet dance moves, said one orientation leader, Cassi Carpenter, a ju- nior journalism major. The Director of Orientation, Whitman Smith, then introduced each leader. The whole group, students and leaders alike, sang the university ' s Alma Mater before dis- missing. Mass chaos then erupted as 15 leaders gathered the freshmen into their assigned groups outside Fulton Chapel. The remaining eight leaders worked behind the scenes, clean- ing up and preparing for the next activity. Meanwhile, the leaders with freshmen groups took them to various classrooms to become better acquainted. Each group ' s main purpose dur- ing this time was the creation of the group cheers. Beach balls zoomed through the air and blaring mu- sic rattled the windows of the Johnson Commons Ballroom as the students entered, ready to perform their cheers. In a Bring It On-style competition, each group yelled their cheer in loud voices, vying for the top spot. The leaders then lead the whole group in traditional Ole Miss cheers, such as Hotty Toddy and Go, Rebels, Go, to prepare them for football season. The whole day was not about socializing and fun. The students met with their academic advisors to plan their fall schedule. After these sessions, the students returned to the Johnson Commons for lunch with their parents. Trying to familiarize the incoming students with life at Ole Miss, differ- WITH ORIENTATION, I NOT ONLY GOT TO BE A PART OF A GREAT PUBLIC UNIVERSITY, I WAS ABLE TO ENCOURAGE NEW STUDENTS TO APPRECIATE AND LOVE OLE MISS THE WAY I DO. - MEGHAN SCOTT ent interest sessions cover- ing a wide variety of topics were held in Holman Hall throughout the day. Students were not the only focus of orientation events. Parents also had an entire day of scheduled events. The leaders who did not head one of the student groups took part in the parent panel, which always consisted of eight orientation leaders and two graduate assistants. This gave parents a chance to clear up any questions, worries or concerns they had about college life. Frustration was a common emotion among freshman as they realized the perfect schedule they had made with their advisor would not be plausible. To their dismay, many students found that most classes were already full when they tried to register in Weir Hall later in the afternoon. To lessen the tension after the infuriating schedule making experience, a picnic was held in the Circle. A campus organizations fair was held during this time, allowing students to get information on all the extracurricular activities available at Ole Miss. Parents then departed for a tour on double decker buses, while students attended optional sessions on the mean- ing behind the university ' s creed and Greek life. Mountains of ice cream became the landscape of the Student Union Food Court during the ice cream social, which was always a welcome way to end the unbearably hot day. End- ing the day on a humorous note, Laff Co. performed for the students and parents. The second day of orientation was more relaxed than the first. The students and parents had the option of attending many information sessions. The orientation leaders helped out wherever they were needed. The new freshmen reluctantly left, counting down the days until their permanent return to cam- pus. While the impact orientation has on the new fresh- men is obvious, being a part of this experience is just as mov- ing for the leaders. Meghan Scott, an orientation leader and a sophomore mathematics major, summed up her experience: With orientation, I not only got to be a part of a great public university, I was able to encourage new students to appreciate and love Ole Miss the way I do. ABOVE LEFT New students examine activities on campus for them to become a part of BELOW RIGHT ASHLEY WRIGHT, a freshman English major, takes time out from the busy schedule of orientation to greet her new friends. 20 THE OLE MISS

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WELCOME WEEK IN THE SPIRIT OF SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY, THE UNIVERSITY PULLS OUT ALL THE STOPS TO WELCOME INCOMING FRESHMEN SUZIE PENMAN SUZIE PENMAN BY BROCK HERRINGTON PHOTOGRAPHY BY SUSIE PENMAN HEATH STEVENS As students join the Ole Miss community each year, the new environment can be a little intimidating and over- whelming at first. Because of this challenge for new and re- turning students, the Department of Campus Programming and the Student Programming Board team up to sponsor Wel- come Week, a week filled with activities at the beginning of the fall semester each year. This week-long event, lasting from August 19 to August 26, features something for everyone. For the shopaholic in all of us, posters and designer purses, jewelry and shoes are on sale in the Student Union throughout the entire week. Football season tickets are also available for members of the Student Rebel Athletic Founda- tion every day of Welcome Week in the Student Union lobby. At the beginning of the week, freshmen are encouraged to at- tend a meeting with the Resident Assistant assigned to the dormitory floor in which they reside. Kicking off Welcome Week was Welcoming you Ole Miss Style, which included a free picnic and a carnival that contained many fun activities, such as a rock wall and a bungee trampoline jump. After the carnival, the Freshman Welcome Rally featuring the Ole Miss cheerleaders, Rebelettes and Pride of the South Marching Band began. Many different activities and services were offered every day in the Student Union, including free massages and caricatures and a campus and student organizations fair. Throughout the week, music at the Union was a constant re- minder of Welcome Week as local artists performed live in the Union Unplugged series and as Rebel Radio commenced live broadcasts. Some activities provided details on how to become involved with the minority student organizations on campus. The Black Student Union hosted a Welcome Back Forum in the Student Union Ballroom, and an event entitled Multicultural Perspective gave students a chance to meet many diverse fac- ulty, administration and student leaders in the Student Union Ballroom. One of the most important events of the week was the New Student Convocation held in the Tad Smith Coliseum on August 24. All the freshmen were encouraged to attend the university ' s official welcome ceremony where they would be formally introduced to the sacred creed of the University of Mississippi. Another big part of the Welcome Week activities in- cluded giving back to the community. A community service agency fair was held in the Student Union Lobby. At this event, students could meet representatives from local agencies and get information about volunteer projects and opportunities in the Lafayette Oxford University community. On August 26, UMSFUSION was held; this community service event had stu- dents traveling to various locations around the Oxford com- munity to volunteer their time and effort in service projects. To welcome the students further and help them become more familiar with the campus, Chancellor Robert Khayat led a campus walk that began at the front steps of the Lyceum. On the final day of Welcome Week, the most elabo- rate event took place on the Grove Stage from noon until mid- night. Entitled Rumble in the Grove, the huge 12-hour con- cert attracted many people from both the Ole Miss and Oxford communities. Many artists performed throughout the day, in- cluding Charlie Mars, Rodney Atkins, Drew Holcomb, Sanders Bohlke the Gospel, Ken Hart Band, Tate Moore the Cosmic Door and Taylor Grocery Band. Beginning and ending with show stopping extrava- ganzas, Welcome Week was a huge success. It accomplished what it was intended to do: Assimilate the freshmen into the welcoming community of upperclassmen, faculty and admin- istration that comprise Ole Miss. LEFT JEFF JOHNSON is a senior majoring in accounting who performed during the Union Unplugged series during Welcome Week. ABOVE LEFT MAX WOODUFF is a junior psychology major who experienced the rock wall in front of the Student Union. ABOVE CENTER Senior English major CODY DANIEL browsed the poster selection on the Union portico. ABOVE RIGHT An organization leader vies for the attention of students looking for new extracurricular activities. THE OLE MISS J 9

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For incoming freshmen, orientation is the time for meeting new people and finding and learning the ropes. For orientation leaders, it is a time to lead and help these freshmen navigate their new home LEADING BY RACHAEL SHOOK PHOTOGRAPHY BY SUSIE PENMAN THE OLE MISS - 1