Fairmont State University - Mound Yearbook (Fairmont, WV)

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CONFIDENT and concerned, Teresa Piscltelli mingled during the picnic on the hill. CATCHING THE RAYS. Lisa Conway and Lisa Heishman watch other counselors swim in the Jackson ' s Mill pool. RAISING their partners ' hands, incoming stu- dents become acquainted during the orienta- tion picnic; Susan Gallaher reaches for her partner. TERRI WALKER and Susan Julian observe the traditional freshman counselor camp vol- leyball match. Freshman Orientation • 11

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A helping hand When thinking back to the first day of high school, do you remember how lonely and overwhelmed you were in the new environment? Now remembering the first day here at Fairmont State, didn ' t you feel the same? No matter where you came from, getting acquainted with college life seemed impossible. Every facet of college life needs some guidance and Freshman Orien- tation is no exception. This guidance is provided by up- perclassmen who are counselors to aid newcomers in the start of college life. Seventy counselors were chosen from approximately 100 applicants based on personality, grades, community and college activities by William Bailey and Michael Bel- mear, Student Affairs counselors. L L A freshman counselor is • a role model. He must a be able to show empa- thy and project confidence. We feel it ' s an important time on campus and we ' re lucky that we get the cream of the crop of freshman counselors. And it is important to realize that this is strictly a volunteer project and the counselors give it their all, agreed Bailey and Belmear. Freshmen counselors attended a training session Aug. 19 and 20 at Jackson ' s Mill to learn to work as a team and how to generate and limit conversation. The focal point was how to involve quiet students to make them feel like they belong. A freshman counselor is a role model, said Bailey. He must be able to show empathy and project an image of confidence with which he can best assist freshmen in their transition to college life. EVOKING spirit among freshmen, upper- classmen counselors chant and clap. MASTER CHEF Kevin O ' Brien grills hot dogs for hungry freshmen during the picnic behind the Library Building. HI Freshman Orientation

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A 4 4 TV freshman counselor is a role model. He must be able to show empa- thy and project confidence. • • • Sarah Miller, senior, education major, said, In attending freshman counselor camp, I have had many experiences such as learning to work with others, follow- ing directions and most of all understanding freshmens ' fears. After a warm welcome from the freshman orientation committee on Wednesday, Aug. 21, freshman settled into dorms and then attended a picnic on the hillside and broke into groups. A variety show was provided for en- tertainment. On Thursday, a dance was held featuring the New York City Breakdancers with WVAQ of Morgantown ra- dio station FM 102 providing the music. The following day the freshmen counselors patiently helped everyone through the long lines of registration. That evening freshmen and counselors relaxed at a pool party at Wave Tek with music provided by WVAQ. Monday evening students enjoyed an outdoor concert with Stark Raven before starting classes the next day. Through the activities provided, lonely people met lonely people, making new friends and learning the rou- tine of their new environment. For freshmen, it ' s their first time away from home and we are the first people they will know and the first impression they have of the college, summarized Tim Watson, a counselor for two years. Freshman orientation took every person who partici- pated to make it the success it was. STARTING SOMETHING, students are oriented to Fairmont state during the pic- nic on the hill. PATIENTLY WAITING. Student Affairs counselor Bill Bailey, and counselors Paul Eliot and Mike Steffic keep an eye on the opposing team during the camp volleyball tournament. 12 • Freshman Orientation