New students enjoy Welcome Week

Chancellor Jerry Falwell Jr. poses with new students at the Chancellor’s Cookout, an annual tradition during Welcome Week.

As students continue to arrive at Liberty University for the start of the fall semester, several activities have been planned to help them connect with each other and have fun before classes begin Monday.

Fall Welcome Week activities include a campus-wide scavenger hunt, indoor and outdoor movie nights, a late skate event at the LaHaye Ice Center, a tubing trip with the James River Float Co., bingo in the Tilley Student Center, lunchtime karaoke in the Reber-Thomas Dining Hall and the Chancellor’s Cookout at Williams Stadium.

“The Student Activities Office loves to provide events during Welcome Week to give students a chance to get to know one another, to meet new friends, and for returning students to reconnect,” said Chris Misiano, Liberty’s Director of Campus Recreation.

Liberty is welcoming more than 12,500 residential students this fall, of which 4,100 are new students. More than 7,100 students are living on campus.

New students were greeted by members of Liberty’s Student Leadership, who helped them move into campus housing on Tuesday. The Student Activities Office also helped at move-in and provided free pizza.

“My RAs and the student leadership were very friendly and helpful in every way – they helped me move in, they answered any questions I had, they would walk with me if I needed to get somewhere and didn’t know where to go,” said Pretoria Lester, a freshman from Danville, Va. “I could come to them for anything.”

“I didn’t have to pick up one thing,” said freshman Kayleigh Lanning of Roanoke, Va. “Everyone just came out and said hi to me and I’ve been hanging out with all of them. I was kind of expecting it (the hospitality), but not as much.”

Returning students will be moving in Friday and throughout the weekend.

On Wednesday afternoon, 94 local businesses were represented at the Community Welcome Fair at the Vines Center, an annual event hosted by Liberty’s Career Center to introduce new and transfer students and their families to all the community has to offer.

“It definitely helps you see what’s out there, and you can get deals to save money,” said incoming freshman Brandon Pogue from New York. “There were lots of chances to win free food and stuff for your room. As a new student, I thought it was really helpful.”

Participating businesses ranged from restaurants to cell phone service providers, banks and counseling services.

“We like to promote the community,” said Jessica Nelson, a representative for Old Mill Townhomes. “When people come to this booth I don’t just tell them about our townhomes, but I kind of help them get their bearings with the community.” Referring to the other businesses there, she said she uses many of their services personally, “so I can say to the students, ‘These people are really great to do business with.’”

Next weekend, Liberty’s traditional Block Party will give Liberty departments and student-led clubs a chance to meet new students. The outdoor event is open to the entire student body and will feature carnival games, food, fireworks and well-known musicians Mute Math, Dave Barnes and Andy Davis.