Delaware Tech kicks off 2015 semester with Welcome Picnic
(Photo by A. Joseph)
Students take time out of their busy day to enjoy a free lunch and chance to socialize with faculty and fellow classmates.
By Alton Joseph
Delaware Technical Community College, Owens Campus, students had the opportunity to enjoy free food, fresh air and a chance to establish connections with faculty and fellow students at the Welcome Picnic on Wednesday, Sept. 2.
Delaware Tech President Dr. Mark Brainard made an appearance at the event and chatted with students and staff. Brainard, a former graduate of Delaware Tech, was named the college’s fifth president last year.
Events like the Welcome Picnic are valuable opportunities for a student’s success, Dr. Brainard said.
“One of the most important components to student success is making sure that everyone makes a connection, or many connections, when they come on campus,” he added.
Brainard said the connections that students make on campus can assist them when they need to find help and get access to support services.
Owens Campus Dean of Student Affairs Dr. Melissa Rakes said the picnic gives the faculty a chance to connect with the students.
“It’s really an opportunity for employees of the college to make all the students, both the new students, and the returning students, feel welcomed and comfortable here,” Rakes said.
Rakes said it is important to make a connection early with new students in order to make them feel welcomed.
“Those first few weeks of the semester are so important to someone deciding whether or not this is the right place for them,” Rakes said. “So, we really want to make sure our atmosphere is welcoming and inviting and we get to know our students.”
Many clubs and organizations set up booths at the picnic to network with the students on campus.
Campus Activities Board (CAB) Treasurer Christina Mendez was one of the representatives for Student Life and informed students of upcoming events.
Mendez said many students don’t know what is going on at the campus. Attending events such as the Welcome Picnic are a good way for students to learn about school activities.
Creative Writing Club adviser Jennifer Morley said the picnic gave her a chance to connect with her students.
“We’re obviously all going to get to know each other as the semester goes, but to have this time early in the semester I think is really valuable,” Morley said.
Computer Information Systems student John McCarty said he enjoyed the food at the event and the chance to see what clubs were at the school.
As a first year student, McCarty said the picnic was helpful in understanding what kind of clubs and events are at the campus.
“If I didn’t have anything like this to guide me to where to go, I would not know what to do,” McCarty said.
(Photo by A. Joseph)
Students visit club booths to learn more about campus events and ways to get involved in order to make the most out of their college experience.