WESTERN PLAINS, Mo. – Students at Missouri State University-West Plains (MSU-WP) took full advantage of this year’s Welcome Week activities to make new friends and learn more on campus.
Held in the first week of the fall semester, Welcome Week includes a variety of activities and events designed to bring students together to form new relationships and learn more about campus. In the past, activities have included picnics, dodge ball tournaments, water games and scavenger hunts.
“Overall, we’ve had an impressive student body participation in this year’s Hospitality Week events,” said Jared Cates, Student Life and Development Coordinator. “The students really enjoyed themselves and it was great to see them make new friendships and create a sense of community on campus.
This year’s welcome week program included a free concert by singer and musician Noah Hoehn at the amphitheater, a Build-Your-Own-Grizzly-Bear workshop, a student organizations fair, “Sample West Plains” with booths from local businesses and organizations, a diversity mixer and a COVID-19 vaccination clinic.
An estimated 675 students participated in the activities, Cates said.
Activities have been changed slightly due to the ongoing pandemic with masks required at some indoor events, but that didn’t seem to detract from the fun.
“This year’s welcome week was GRIZZ-tastic! Although masks played a role in our events, that didn’t stop the students from having fun, making new friends and starting the year with great experiences, ”said Sophie Burns, vice-president. president of the Student Government Association (SGA), Granite City. , Illinois.
Convening of new students
The week ended with the summons of new students to the West Plains Civic Center theater. The guest speaker was Clif Smart, president of the Missouri State University system, who addressed the students words of encouragement for the new academic year.
The students also signed the Book of Grizzlies, a symbolic activity to become an MSU-WP student and a Grizzly. Since last year’s convocation was canceled due to the pandemic, freshmen in fall 2020 were also asked to sign the book this year. A total of 160 students signed the book this year.
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