New Hens invited to connect, explore, contribute through special events

2:28 p.m., Aug. 13, 2013--Fall semester is just around the corner at the University of Delaware and incoming Blue Hens can now check out the updated 1743 Welcome Days website for a full schedule of opening week festivities.

The weekend will kick off on Saturday, Aug. 24, as incoming on-campus students move in to their residence halls.

Campus Stories

From graduates, faculty

As it neared time for the processional to open the University of Delaware Commencement ceremonies, graduating students and faculty members shared their feelings about what the event means to them.

Doctoral hooding

It was a day of triumph, cheers and collective relief as more than 160 students from 21 nations participated in the University of Delaware's Doctoral Hooding Convocation held Friday morning on The Green.

• Doctoral hooding
• Old Swedes
• Summer SAT, ACT prep
• 'Opus 13' pre-sale

A reception for incoming commuter students will be held in the Trabant University Center Student Lounge at 7:30 p.m.

Campus Breakout, an annual event hosted by the University Student Centers, will start at 8:30 p.m. in both Trabant University Center and Perkins Student Center. Both buildings will feature a variety of games, giveaways, live performances and refreshments, all complimentary for UD students. 

Students are encouraged to visit both buildings for the full experience and will receive a chance to win an iPad at both locations. Featured comedian Bo Burnham will take the stage on UD’s South Green at 11 p.m. in a presentation sponsored by the Student Centers Programming Advisory Board (SCPAB).

The 1743 Welcome Day festivities will continue Sunday with:

• Featured keynote speaker Justin Jones-Fosu;
• Activities Night, featuring opportunities to meet representatives of more than 290 registered student organizations (RSOs) in Trabant and Perkins;
• ThinkFast Game Show with cash prizes, hosted by Student Wellness and Health Promotion;
• Target Back-To-School Shopping with complimentary bus transportation; and
• Hen Zone Madness in the Hen Zone at Perkins Student Center.

Various orientations and open houses will be held on Monday, as well as the Campus Connections Carnival, which allows students to meet representatives of multiple UD departments.

The Lavender Reception, a welcoming event for the LGBT community and their allies, will be held in Trabant Student Lounge from 4:30-6:30 p.m., followed by the Class of 2017 Twilight Induction Ceremony on the South Green at 7:30 p.m.

At both the Campus Connections Carnival and the Twilight Induction Ceremony, members of the Class of 2017 will have opportunities to sign their class banner, which is sponsored by the UD Alumni Association.

In the event of inclement weather, changes to the 1743 schedule will be posted on the website.

1743 Welcome Days, organized by UD’s Division of Student Life for the First Year Experience, furthers connections forged at New Student Orientation and assists students in acclimating to life at UD.

All members of the University community are invited to participate in welcoming the Class of 2017 to UD, and can join in the social media conversation by using the hashtag #UDwelcome.

Article by Casey Impagliazzo

Photos by Kathy F. Atkinson and Lane McLaughlin