An outdoor recreation trip, on-campus street fair, and a variety of small-group sessions highlight West Virginia Wesleyan’s efforts to help ease the transition for first-year students.  Over 350 new students will enroll at the private residential college this weekend.

“We know first-year students are anxious about college,” says Alice Leigh, director of academic advising and registrar and coordinator of the College’s orientation program.  “Our program addresses both the academic and the social issues students face in the first few weeks of college.  Our retention and graduation rates are always among the best in the state and we believe our early outreach programs help our students start on track for success.”

Wesleyan’s orientation program for thirty-one students will begin on Wednesday.  The students, admission staff members and Wesleyan’s outdoor recreation staff will depart for Hico, WV for two days of fellowship and adventure.  The students will enjoy a campfire Wednesday evening and choose from horseback riding, rock climbing, and a ropes climbing course on Thursday.  The highlight of the trip will occur on Friday when the group rafts down the New River on Friday morning.

“The outdoor recreation pre-orientation trip is a great opportunity for our incoming students to interact with their new classmates, roommates, and friends in an exhilarating and fun setting,” says Chris Coons, director of admission.  “The trip allows our new students the opportunity to remove the nervous feeling they have about going away to college.  This trip provides great team-building and bonding exercises that allow friendships to develop instantly.”

While several new students have already arrived on campus for athletic pre-season practices and community service workshops, the majority of Wesleyan’s new freshmen will be greeted with a “Bobcat Street Fair” on Saturday morning in the Rockefeller Physical Education Center.  Nearly 40 area merchants will set-up displays, serve food, and provide students and their parents with the opportunity to purchase goods and services.  “The mall-like atmosphere allows wonderful town-gown development opportunities, adds Leigh.

Saturday’s program also includes a Wesleyan football scrimmage and picnic lunch at the home of President Pamela Balch and her husband, Patrick.  Faculty, staff, and entering students will enjoy an assortment of foods and entertainment. 

The new students will also begin their Freshman Seminar program on Saturday.  The one-hour or four-hour special topics courses meet throughout the semester.  However, the first weekend addresses the “how’s, what’s, and why’s” of Wesleyan and allows students to quickly make new friends.

Other activities throughout the weekend include the traditional Freshman Convocation, an ice cream social, group competitions, the Great College Drive-in Movie, and student organizational fair.  Wesleyan’s class registration day will be held on Monday.

“We really try to keep students and parents busy during the Orientation weekend,” notes Leigh.  “After the parents depart, we focus our energy on helping students make good decisions both in and out of the classroom.  Our size allows us to offer a highly personalized experience.  Still, we know if we did not have such a comprehensive program, we would run the risk of losing a few students before they give Wesleyan a chance.”

For more information about Wesleyan’s Orientation program, contact Leigh at (304) 473-8440 or leigh_aj@wvwc.edu.