Fairmont State University - Mound Yearbook (Fairmont, WV)

Page 10 text:

ff n tudent Leaders k : Freshman counselors work hard to WL J make freshman orientation a success. W Without them, many freshmen would j be confused and disappointed. Guidance is provided by upper- classmen who are counselors to aide the newcomers in the start of college life. They were chosen by William Bailey and Michael Belmear, Student Affairs counselors, based on leadership skills, communication skills, and participa- tion in college activities. Eighty counselors were chosen out of 130 applicants. Counselors and administrators greeted the freshmen as they first encountered their new stomping grounds on Aug. 22. The three-day event was designed to give students a chance to be- come acquainted with the campus and each other. However, preparation time took a lot longer than three days. Counselors attended a training session Aug. 18-20 at Mountwood, located near Parkersburg to learn to work as a team and to generate and limit conversation. The focal point was how to involve quiet students to make them feel like they belonged. According to Bailey, The counselors have to be role models. They must be able to provide the basic information so that the students will have someone to go to with their problems or questions. On the first evening of orientation, Billy Crystal ' s hit song inspired the class of 1990 into consuming marvelous hot dogs, potato chips and pop at a picnic in the parking lot above the library. The new freshmen ' s first day of orientation saw them involved in various activities, like gathering in groups by birth- days, squatting on each other ' s laps while trying to walk in a complete circle and hugging other people who were complete strangers. Soon, nearly everyone became accustomed to intro- ducing themselves repeatedly. Orientation gave freshmen a few extra days to make a dorm room feel like home. Freshman Counselors enjoyed a relaxed but competitive game of volleyball during train- ing camp at Mountwood in Parkersburg. 6 Freshman Orientation

Page 9 text:

CfMh Lils In between freshman orientation and graduation, numerous events kept students busy. Despite all the book reports, term papers and final exams of academic college life, it was Homecoming, guest speakers, plays, dances, banquets or concerts that kept all the talk buzzing Divider 5

Page 11 text:

New freshman could be seen moving their posses- sions into the dorm during the three day orientation which began Aug. 22. One of the 80 freshman counselors who attended training camp at Mountwood takes a minute to catch up on the news. Eighty counselors greeted freshmen August 22 to begin a three-day orientation to acquaint them with the campus and each other. Arriving at Mountwood, near Parkersburg, 80 upperclassmen prepare for intense training as freshman counselors. Student Government president Tim Watson greeted freshman during the first evening of orientation in the parking lot above the brary. Freshman Orientation 7