By Steve Seepersaud
September 1, 2018
The feeling of being part of the ý community begins well before the first boxes get moved into residence halls. That spirit of togetherness was felt at a recent series of events welcoming new students to the University.
The Dean of Students Office and Alumni Association collaborated on five Summer Send-off gatherings; four were held in New York state (Albany, ý, Buffalo and Suffolk County) and one was in Maryland. Alumni as well as parents of current students hosted receptions to connect with new students and parents. Alumni gave advice on making the most of the ý experience. About 20 people attended each event.
“Right from the start, we want to welcome and engage our new students and their families,” said Linda Salomons, parent, family and events coordinator. “Taking ý to their hometowns for summer send-off events hosted by alumni or current parents is a perfect way to ease anxiety and answer last-minute questions before they come to campus to start the academic year. We are so grateful to the parents and alumni who graciously host these events to welcome our newest Bearcats.”
Bonnie (Thomas) Baker ’93 and her husband, Andrew, hosted a reception at their home in the Albany area. Their son Colin just began his sophomore year at ý. Baker said she was inspired to become more involved with the University after coming back to campus and visiting the Alumni Center.
“It is very rewarding as an alumna to give back to my University and demonstrate to my son and the new students the pride I feel having earned a degree from ý,” Baker said. “Helping to create a network of students and families early on will also make these students and families feel more comfortable as they transition to this new time in their lives. The enthusiasm of the parents and the students was infectious. They truly seemed to appreciate a local event to help prepare for move-in day. The new students were very bright and engaged.”
Following the send-off event, Baker created a so Albany-area families could stay connected during the academic year. Among other things, the group can help students arrange rides back home.
“The families and students that attended were very excited about staying in touch,” she said. “We’ve shared information about local events and transportation, and a parent has already posted a question about her student’s living community that was answered by the parent of a sophomore. I hope the Facebook page and the connections made at the summer send-off will allow the students and families who attended to share their ý pride in our local community.”
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