Virginia Wesleyan Student Activities started off this fresh new academic year with Marlin Nation Orientation, and welcomed all incoming freshmen to campus with hope to get back to the way of life that was on campus before COVID-19.
Before returning students moved back onto campus and classes began, the Class of 2025 was welcomed with a wide variety of the many courses, activities and opportunities VWU has to offer. Students were provided with two opportunities to learn more about what it means to be a Marlin, and to have a little bit of fun along the way as well.
The first of these opportunities, Marlin Nation Orientation 101, took place during the month of June. At this event, freshmen were able to visit campus with their families and take part in many different activities such as Carnival Sensation, a petting zoo and a look at campus life departments.
“[Orientation 101] went really well and was a lot of fun,” said Sarah Guzzo, director of student activities. “It was really the first big event that we had that was the most normal outside of COVID, and was really refreshing and so enjoyable for the staff, faculty and families that came out.”
To go along with the first half of Orientation, freshmen were invited to Marlin Nation Orientation 102 soon after they moved in. Orientation 102 focused more on VWU’s policies, academics, and community standards through a variety of exploration sessions. Some of these sessions included a tour of Greer Gardens, a lesson on student policies and a preview of what different majors may look like.
“The Orientation sessions were really interesting and provided new insight into possible interesting majors that I didn’t have any information on before,” said freshman Hollyn Pleasants.
By Carey Seay
clseay@vwu.edu
