By Jaci Schneider, Opinion Editor
Rain, upperclassmen and fun welcomed a record number of new students to campus last week.
Although frequent thunderstorms dampened campus throughout Welcome Week, they didn’t dampen spirits.
“We’ve had rain and all kinds of stuff that hasn’t really gone our way,” said Amber Cardot, a Welcome Week student director and a senior psychology major from Abilene. “But everybody has been really understanding.”
Welcome Week officially began at 2 p.m. last Tuesday at the opening ceremonies in Moody Coliseum.
From that point until Saturday afternoon, activities kept new students busy. From lunch and dinner to Giant Twister to service projects and intramurals, students had plenty of opportunities to get involved.
Of the more than 1,100 students who registered for the week, 70 auditioned for the talent show, and 800 signed up for intramurals, Cardot said.
Turnout for activities was high as well, Cardot said. As an incentive to encourage students to attend activities, directors constructed “Dorothy the Cowgirl” to make an appearance at certain events. To enter the drawings, students had to record where they saw the Cowgirl throughout the week. Biketown donated a bike, and Wal-Mart donated a flat-screen TV.
Heavy rain forced the four student directors-Cardot, Jonathan Ross, Misty Willcox and Demetrius Collins-to be creative this week.
A service project Friday of playing with kids in Abilene turned into writing letters to those children. The outdoor concert Friday night had to be moved indoors to Bennett Gymnasium, and inflatable games was canceled.
Many students were disappointed that intramural football had to be canceled because the field was too wet to play on, Cardot said.
The week was also a time for new students to meet people in their mentor groups and adjust to life at ACU.
“It’s been fun and exhilarating,” said Josh Smith, a freshman business management major from Austin.
However, some students found Welcome Week a little overwhelming.
“It’s been the longest week of my life, but it kind of threw me into college,” said Lindsey Sisk, undeclared major from Boerne.
