Piedmont College Navigator

Issue date: 8/18/08 Section: Features

Media Credit: Sandi Tatum

Every year for three days, incoming freshmen learn about their fellow classmates through activities and games. These activities introduce them to the students who'll stand by them for the next four years.
The new students climb though ropes, swing across tires, and balance on pieces of wood to accomplish the tasks given to them. They will help each other in the years to come while studying or proofreading homework.
"Orientation is essential. They can meet their classmates for the first time and they can establish themselves as a class," says Cindy Peterson, director of undergraduate admissions.
To kick off this year's freshmen orientation events, students moved into their dorms with the help of the Orientation Assistants, OAs, and residence life crew. After getting settled into their new quarters for the next year, the students attended the pledge ceremony to Piedmont College.
Monday and Tuesday were the days for freshmen to get acquainted with fellow students and relieve any awkwardness. The four groups took turns tackling the ropes course, being aware of alcohol, becoming familiar with our library, and learning more about each other.
"Everybody was themselves and nobody cared," says freshman Faith Cousino. "It gets you over boundaries. You get up close and personal."
The alumni association then sponsored a cookout on Monday night at the sand volleyball courts.
Drew Davis, dean of student affairs, says about 200 people showed up to the cookout. During the event, the young alumni of Piedmont and the freshmen played volleyball games and Davis said the young alumni got beat bad by the freshmen.
Every year to help the different freshmen groups get to know each other better, each group has to present a skit to the student body. This year the groups of Dr. Betsey Blakeslee and Dr. Bethany Griffiths' PC 101 groups won the skit presentations and the prize dinner.
"The ropes course and skits are for establishing relationships," says Drew Davis, dean of student affairs. "The key to retaining students is based on the relationships they establish and maintain."
The skit presentations usually end the freshmen orientation events, but this year students continued later with an Open Mic Night. Students took a stand at the microphone to sing, recite poetry, act or just get their voices heard by the audience.
"It was so fun to see people who were shy and closed off to be so daring," says Cousino "It was a big step for a few people."
The freshmen know the favorite ice cream flavor and the favorite sports team of fellow classmates. They worked together to swing across a rope and catch their teammates on the other side while working as a team to balance on a platform as a whole.

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