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New students get acquainted at ‘Wisconsin Welcome’

August 25, 1998

It began 10 years ago as a single event in Camp Randall Stadium. Today it encompasses dozens of activities spread out over a period of weeks. The goal remains the same – to help UW–Madison’s first-year and transfer students get acquainted and feel welcome in their new home-away-from-home.

The Chancellor’s Convocation at noon on Tuesday, Sept. 1, will feature sportswriter and ESPN commentator Mitch Albom, author of the current nonfiction best-seller Tuesdays With Morrie.

Some of the other highlights of Wisconsin Welcome ’98 include:

  • The Recreational Sports “Up All Night” Party at the Southeast Recreational Facility (SERF) and the Natatorium starting at 10 p. m. on Saturday, Aug. 29, and ending at 2 a.m. on Sunday. This alcohol-free event will feature sports, games, dancing, movies, food and door prizes.
  • Outdoor aerobics on the brand new Camp Randall turf, Sunday, Aug. 30, from 2 to 3 p.m., and Monday, Aug. 31, from 1 to 2 p.m.
  • The Fifth Quarter Pep Rally and Badger Tailgate on Sunday, Aug. 30, from 4:30 to 7 p.m. at Camp Randall Stadium. The Marching Band, cheerleaders, dance team and Bucky Badger will teach the university’s newest students the traditional Wisconsin cheers and fight songs, and the students will take part in Playfair, an entertaining series of get-acquainted activities.
  • “Extreme Connections: Creating an Exceptional College Experience” on Monday, Aug. 31, starting at 6:30 p.m. in the Kohl Center’s Nicholas-Johnson Pavilion. This brand new Wisconsin Welcome activity will be facilitated by Paul Wesselman of Stone Soup Seminars. Its aim is to turn the fear and excitement experienced in the first week of college into valuable tools which new students can use to meet new people, improve academic performance and build an A-plus attitude.
  • The Memorial Union Bash, starting at 9 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 31, and ending at 2 a.m. on Tuesday. Among the offerings will be bands on the Terrace and ballroom dancing in Great Hall.
  • The Multicultural Orientation Reception on Tuesday, Sept. 1, from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Memorial Union. The event, designed to welcome new students of color to campus, will begin with a program in the Union Theater featuring music and dance from African American, Asian American, American Indian, Chicano and Puerto Rican cultures. The reception and a Student Organization Fair will be held in the Union’s second-floor Main Lounge immediately following the program.

Some of the university’s top faculty will participate in the Wisconsin Welcome lecture series on Sunday and Monday, Aug. 30 and 31. Many schools, departments and libraries will hold open houses, receptions and tours during the next several weeks. University Health Services will offer students live music and free chair massages on Library Mall on Monday, Aug. 31, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Tuesday, Sept. 1, from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Also part of Wisconsin Welcome are workshops on time management, reading and note-taking conducted by GUTS Tutorial and a session on “Practical Money Skills,” presented by staff from Student Financial Services.