Mary Washington Orientation Welcomes First-Year Students

Today and tomorrow, the University of Mary Washington begins welcoming its newest Eagles during First-Year Student Orientation for the 2019-20 school year. The two-day session is the first of six scheduled throughout the month for nearly 1,000 incoming students, both freshmen and transfers.

Students tour the UMW campus during an Orientation session last year. First-Year Student Orientation will take place on campus today through the end of the month. Photo by Suzanne Carr Rossi.

Associate Dean of Student Involvement Melissa Jones speaks to members of the incoming class during Orientation last year. The annual event, taking place on campus this month, is filled with team-building experiences designed to get students acquainted with the UMW community. Photo by Suzanne Carr Rossi.

Breakout sessions and team-building experiences help build a sense of community during UMW Orientation. Photo by Suzanne Carr Rossi.

Orientation is designed to get incoming UMW students acquainted with academic offerings and extracurricular opportunities. Photo by Suzanne Carr Rossi.

Upcoming undergraduates will dine at the Top of the UC, tour residence halls, join spirit-building activities and learn about all the excitement their upcoming Mary Washington experience holds in store. Along with their parents and guardians, they’ll take part in information sessions and workshops designed to connect them to the campus community and put them on track toward a successful journey through college.

“We couldn’t be more excited to welcome our newest Eagles and introduce them to the incredible resources and outstanding opportunities our campus has to offer,” said Coordinator for New Student Programs Britni Greenleaf. “We are so honored that they chose to become part of the University of Mary Washington family.”

In sessions geared to residential, off-campus and out-of-state students; recruited athletes; and more, new undergrads will learn about uniquely Mary Washington entities like the Honor Code, Domain of One’s Own, the First Year Experience and EagleOne cards. They’ll explore campus dining and safety, along with a wide range of extracurricular activities, including student organizations, sports clubs, and community engagement and service opportunities.

Sessions will provide an overview of UMW’s three colleges – Arts and Sciences, Business and Education – as well as academic expectations and study abroad experiences. Students will meet with faculty advisors, register for classes and hear from important offices such as Student Affairs, Campus Recreation, the Talley Center for Counseling Services, Veteran’s Resource Center, Office of Disability Resources and more.

Students selected for UMW’s Jepson Scholars Program, Student Transition Program and Summer Orientation Adventure Retreat – a two-night, three-day, post-Orientation primitive camping experience – will take part in separate sessions.

As the evening winds down, UMW students engage in relaxing activities outside the University Center during last year’s Orientation. Photo by Suzanne Carr Rossi.

Two-day Orientation sessions get incoming UMW students acquainted with campus and unique aspects of the Mary Washington community, such as Frisbee play on Ball Circle. Photo by Suzanne Carr Rossi.

Toward the end of the day, the 155 students enrolled in this first two-day Orientation session will break, before another long day tomorrow, to wind down with Bingo, video games, cornhole, golf-cart tours and other relaxing activities planned for Ball Circle and all across campus.

Other Orientation sessions this month will take place June 12-13, 17-18, 19-20, 24-25 and 26-27. For more information and details about the two-day schedule, contact the Office of Student Involvement at orientation@umw.edu or 540-654-1061.