Daily Pioneer News

After students move in on Sept. 1, they can enjoy three days of activities designed to connect them with other students, the UWP campus and community. Photo taken by Andy McNeil.

PLATTEVILLE- As 1,440 new students begin their college careers at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, they will have the opportunity to become immersed in the UWP campus and meet new friends while having a little fun at New Student Orientation, Sept. 1 through 3.

Themed "Your Bridge to the Future," New Student Orientation features a full schedule of events and activities designed to entertain and teach students how to be successful at UWP.

"We know through research that students who attend New Student Orientation are more successful throughout their college career," said David Nevins, leadership development coordinator.

The festivities begin with new student move-in on Sept.1 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Volunteers will be available to help students move in. New students living off-campus may check in at the Pioneer Involvement Center beginning at 1:30 p.m. Once students are moved in, they will depart with their residence hall group at 3:30 p.m. to the Platteville Chamber of Commerce Welcome Picnic and Merchant Scavenger Hunt downtown. There, students can enjoy food, music provided by the campus radio station, WSUP, and a scavenger hunt with prizes from the downtown businesses.

While students are enjoying the picnic and scavenger hunt, parents may attend a session with Nancy Hunter Denny, at 3:30 p.m., in the UWP Center for the Arts, a new event this year. Denny is a nationally recognized keynote speaker, author, leadership trainer and educator who seeks to inspire in others a personal sense of responsibility for serving a greater social good.

According to Denny's website biography, "She accomplishes this mission through a dynamic, high energy and humorous approach stage presentation. A true educator, Nancy seeks to leave audience members in the 'interested student of life' position while encouraging them to love learning, ask questions and pursue truth." Denny has presented at over 650 institutions of higher education and has also appeared with Dr. Phil, Suze Orman, Soledad O'Brien, Amanda Gore, Sarah Weddington and Dana Reeve.

Students will have the opportunity to hear Denny at 7:30 p.m. in the Williams Fieldhouse and pick up a free laundry bag. After the session, students can enjoy free freezie pops at the Welcome Social at 9 p.m. on the Pioneer Student Center west lawn. The day will conclude with the UWP Game Show, where students can "Hang with Hal," the Southwest Hall resident director in the Pioneer Student Center. Students will answer questions about UWP and pop culture and have the opportunity to win cash prizes.

Sept. 2 kicks off with rides to church at the corner of College Drive and Greenwood Avenue, as volunteers will be on hand to offer rides to various churches in Platteville. Throughout the day, students can receive door prize tickets for participating in the various events being offered on campus. Informational sessions from 1 to 4 p.m. in the Center for the Arts, Pioneer Student Center and Doudna Hall will teach students how to be successful at UWP. Sessions include The Ultimate Roadtrip by monster.com; Stop the Hate; UWP informational panel discussion; Peer to Peer Respect; Community Service; Financial Aid and Employment and more.

The Rockin' Block Party follows from 4 to 8 p.m. in front of Porter Hall, with dodgeball, a bungee run, the mechanical bull and other games and activities hosted by various student organizations. Afterward, students can enjoy pizza samples from Pizza Pit as they watch the outdoor movie, "Shrek 3", at 8:30 p.m. Upon conclusion of the movie, students can dance the night away and get a free drinking cup at the hip hop party with DJ Dairon Carter, from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m., on the Glenview patio.

On Sept. 3, students can pick up items from Dick's Piggly Wiggly, Wal-Mart, Kmart and Dollar General. Rides will be provided from Glenview parking lot from 10 a.m. to noon. The highlight of the day will be the Welcome Back Concert with Ha Ha Tonka opening for The Trews at 5 p.m. in front of Huginin, Pickard and Brockert Halls. The Trews have performed with Evanescence, Nickelback, Three Days of Grace, Finger Eleven, The Offspring, Big Sugar and Sam Roberts. With the release of their debut album, "House of Ill Fame," The Trews won group of the year at the 2005 East Coast Music Awards, were awarded best contemporary recording at the 2004 Canadian Organization of Campus Activities Awards and voted as favorite new artist at the Canadian Artists Selected by You Awards. Formerly the Amsterband, Ha Ha Tonka has performed with Tapes' n' Tapes, Say Anything, Soul Asylum, Limbeck and Robert Randolph, and The Family Band.

New Student Orientation concludes with the start of classes on Sept. 4. Throughout the day, lifesaver tables, staffed by the UWP Student Ambassador Corps, will be in front of Ottensman and Warner Halls to help students find their classes and inform them how to drop or add a class. Students can also grab some free candy.

Joie Schoonover, associate director of dining services, encourages students to attend orientation.

"New Student Orientation is a great way to meet new friends and learn your way around campus. Don't miss this amazing opportunity to build a bridge to your future," she said.

For a full schedule of events, students may visit http://www.uwplatt.edu/admission/orientation.html.

Contact: David Nevins, leadership development coordinator, (608) 342-1483, nevinsd@uwplatt.edu

Prepared by: Krystle Kurdi, UWP Public Relations, (608) 342-1194, kurdik@uwplatt.edu