GETTING ORIENTED

Honors College offers in-person activities for incoming students

Building community is a core component of the East Carolina University Honors College first-year experience. With the easing of COVID-19 restrictions, staff and student leaders in the college looked to create an event to bring incoming students to campus and allow them to connect with each other.

“We understand first impressions matter and the transition to college elicits mixed emotions,” said Dr. Diane Majewski, Honors College director of programming. “With that premise in mind, a hybrid orientation experience extended throughout the summer for incoming honors students that we call Honors College Television (HCTV).”

Gracen Ziemba, center, and Ashley Jones work with their group on a scavenger hunt list during Honors College in-person orientation on July 13. (ECU photos by Cliff Hollis)

Incoming students attended a required session virtually in June where information on advising and the first-year experience was shared. There was also time for students to ask any questions about the upcoming academic year.

“Multiple touchpoints between current and incoming students turned out to be the most valuable component of this program,” Majewski said. “These touchpoints included virtual sessions, social media check-ins, handwritten notes and phone calls capped off with an in-person visit to campus.”

Incoming students were able to sign up for one of four in-person sessions during July. Student leaders in the college planned and hosted the events.

“It was great being able to share my love for ECU with the incoming freshmen and let them know why I love ECU Honors and why they should love it too,” said Amanda Powell, a senior majoring in biology and president of the Honors College Student Council.

First-year students arrived on campus at 10 a.m. for introductions and ice breakers before dividing up into groups for a scavenger hunt across campus. Items ranged from taking photos in front of campus landmarks such as the cupola and the ECU letters at the student center to getting an autograph from a staff member.

“I liked how we got to look at all the different buildings,” said Anna Schroeder, an incoming student. “Because of the scavenger hunt we got to see where all the buildings were and the layout of campus.”

Sophia DeBruhl sketches her painting design during the Honors College in-person orientation on July 13.

One of the highlights for students was a tour of Greene Residence Hall during their lunch break. This year marks the first that honors students will reside in Greene, which is located in the West End neighborhood. Students were also able to pick up their 1 Cards, an important item for their time in Pirate Nation.

“I’m actually really excited about campus rec,” said incoming student Ashley Jones. “I was asking how soon we can use our 1 Cards to get in there. I’m excited about kayaking at the North Recreational Complex and different active activities.”

Students participated in different activities after lunch, such as painting, climbing the rock wall in the Student Recreation Center and playing yard games in front of the Mamie Jenkins Building.

“Being here today made me feel more confident in getting to know that campus,” said Ana Cabrera-Perez, an incoming student. “The staff and student leaders made me feel like I was at home.”

Honors staff worked closely with the Office of Student Transitions to ensure virtual and in-person honors sessions did not overlap with required ECU orientation events.

“It was cool to be on the other side of orientation,” said Maggie Baile, an honors senior majoring in security studies and political science. “Having orientation on-campus ourselves as freshmen and having to do it online last year, it was great to finally get to be back in person but on the flip side of it.”