Schools

Bowie State University Welcomes Incoming Freshmen

The university's new student orientation will take place on campus all week.

This week, (BSU) welcomes more than 450 new freshmen to the campus.

New Student Orientation Week at BSU began yesterday. Students will enjoy an event-filled week making friends, meeting faculty and staff, and learning about their new school, according to BSU Assistant Director for Student Life Will Ridley.

“It’s a long week,” said Ridley, “but it’s exciting.”

Orientation began Monday with a welcome session. Each student also attended a tribal meeting. Students are placed in one of seven tribes based on the Nguzo Saba tribe principles, and they will work with their orientation leaders and tribal elders, said Ridley.

Wednesday is Greek Life Day, where students will have the opportunity to learn about the fraternities and sororities at BSU, which are very active on campus. The day’s events will feature a panel discussion, a barbeque and a block show - a smaller version of a step show put on mostly for entertainment and not for competition, Ridley said.

On Thursday, the students will learn about the 200-year history of BSU. Faces will be painted black and gold, students will be taught the fight song and the importance of Bulldog pride.

For the last day of orientation on Friday, students will begin the day with a visit to the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial and then take place in a matriculation ceremony that will represent their official induction into the university. At the ceremony, new students will be pinned by BSU alumni, faculty and staff.

Ridley claims that the success of the week is due in large part to his student life staff.

“Our orientation leaders have school spirit that is top notch,” said Ridley.

According to Ridley, this year’s New Student Orientation Week was moved up to a few weeks before the start of school due to camps and other activities on campus in August.  Students will stay on campus all week, but after Friday they will head home for three weeks, when they will come back and move into their dormitories for the year.

Classes at BSU officially begin on August 29.


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