Thursday, Aug. 24, serves as “A Day of Gathering.” New
students will move into their residence halls during the day and then will
officially be inducted into the Bonaventure family at the Candlelight Ceremony
Thursday evening. The 9 p.m. program will be held on the steps of Plassmann
Hall.
“My favorite part of Welcome Days was moving in and going to
the candlelight program with my roommate,” said Charity Hammond, a sophomore
sport studies major. “That’s when my roommate and I started to get to know each
other and when I really felt like I made the right choice for my college
career.”
On Friday, Aug. 25, students will participate in “A Day of
Classes.” Presentations and activities will help students prepare for the
transition into college and outline opportunities and expectations for the
Bonaventure students throughout their academic career.
On Saturday, Aug 26, and Sunday, Aug 27, students will
participate in “A Day of Service” and “A Day of Involvement.” The freshman
class will learn about the university’s Franciscan mission and participate in
workshops on respecting diversity, preventing sexual violence and responsible
alcohol use. They will also attend workshops hosted by clubs and organizations
on campus.
“One program that stood out is the alcohol awareness
program,” said Mary Frac, a senior psychology major. “The presenter is
downright blunt about the experiences a college student can encounter and
doesn’t sugar coat it. He is also hilarious, which makes his message memorable
and enjoyable.”
Freshmen have been asked to bring a donation of school
supplies when they come to campus in order to create school packs for refugee
children being served by Saint’s Place in Rochester. St. Bonaventure has
partnered for many years with Saint’s Place, which assists refugees from
war-torn countries seeking asylum in the United States.
These legal immigrants arrive in Rochester through the
Refugee and Immigration Department of the Catholic Family Center. Last year,
new students at St. Bonaventure provided enough donations to stock school
supplies at Saint’s Place for nine months.
St. Bonaventure’s upperclassmen will begin arriving Aug. 27,
and Transfer Student Orientation is planned for Aug. 26-27. Fall semester
classes begin Monday, Aug. 28.
