The processes may have changed, but the feeling of excitement was the same as students were welcomed back to campus and into their residence halls for Welcome Weekend, August 22-23. After long months of COVID-19 preparations, each packed car and eager arrival heralded the reawakening of the Walsh University campus for fall 2020. While practicing the University's Seven to Remember, Welcome Weekend included a full-schedule of activities for new and returning students, with an emphasis on outdoor events such as a movie on the campus lawn, live music and cook-outs.
Canton Repository, Students Return to Stark County Colleges, August 22, 2020
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Following a staggered arrival, students began arriving on campus on Monday, August 17, with freshmen and transfer students welcomed on Thursday and Friday. With beautiful weather and pleasant temperatures, the entire move-in process ran smoothly with students and families greeted at Welcome Tents with Safety Kits and a Pledge to do their part to help keep others safe.
“As we carry on the Brothers’ tradition, we welcome our new students to the Walsh University family,” said Walsh President Tim Collins, Ed.D., as he officially welcomed Walsh’s newest members of CAV Nation during Matriculation. “The experiences you will have on your campus in the time that lies before us will prepare you to ‘take your place’ in the world, as individuals who are committed to improving not just your own lives … but also the lives of those who cross your path.”
During the afternoon of Thursday and Friday, the campus was adorned with small white tents staffed by university volunteers for Walsh’s Campus Resource Fair. After getting settled in their residence halls, students and their families were able to enjoy Walsh’s park-like campus while learning more about the resources available to them through Advising, Academic Support Center, Alumni Office, Cavalier Safeguard Initiative, Multicultural Affairs and Student Activities, among others.
Parents and families were also treated to a special “Relaxation Station” that included light refreshments and a chance to unwind in the Barrette Business and Community Center before departing campus. Meals were served as “To-Go” options to help accommodate the various move-in times. Students were able to eat their meals and enjoy the beautiful weather at their leisure.
Saturday activities also included Walsh’s Matriculation Ceremony, which is an annual tradition where the first year class officially enters into the learning community that is Walsh University. The ceremony was held virtually this year from the Mother Angelica Video Production Studio in the Global Learning Center. This annual event celebrates the mutual partnership to support and challenge students to become leaders in service while pursuing their undergraduate degrees.
The MOSAIC Multicultural Affairs Orientation concluded Opening Weekend on Sunday, August 23, with a Welcome Dinner featuring Dr. Aaron Palmer ’11, who was recently spotlighted in a CBS News story for breaking down barriers to achieve his dreams in medicine. This is the fifth year for this event which is focused on meeting the needs of Walsh's multicultural students. During the MOSAIC dinner, students learned about University resources, campus involvement opportunities and the Greater Canton community. Students also had a chance to meet University staff members and interact with incoming and current Walsh students.
