Warm, sunny weather heralded the start of the Fall 2025 semester at the annual OU New Student Welcome, held Sept. 2 at the Elliott Tower. Incoming freshmen, transfer, graduate and international students arrived around noon for a walking clap-in from faculty and staff volunteers before attending other events, including academic showcases by major, campus tours, and a party complete with lawn games and a DJ.
Designed to ease incoming students into campus life, New Student Welcome has been a vital part of OU Welcome Week since the first new student welcome in 1959. “Everyone has been so nice,” said Lillian Balog, a freshman majoring in Studio Arts, acknowledging an optimistic feeling among incoming students at the event. “Instead of, like, the whole ‘scary first week of college’ experience that some people have gone through, it’s very heartwarming.”
The event’s layout spanned the broad swath of central campus. Student-run booths on behalf of the Office for Student Involvement (OSI) and Student Activity Fund Assessment Committee (SAFAC) lined the tower courtyard with information on clubs and organizations. Kresge Library hosted an open house, offering a variety of library information as well as news of an entirely new collection.
“Our shirts this year say ‘You Belong,’ and I think that when staff are able to get involved in things like this, they feel like they belong too,” Beth Wallis, Associate Dean of University Libraries, said. “It really helps everybody feel like they’re a vital part of the OU community. If everybody on campus becomes a welcoming face for those kinds of questions, all the students benefit from that.”
Students also engaged in campus tours, played ladder ball and cornhole, and enjoyed music from a live DJ. Volunteers operated information booths for new students adjusting to their surroundings, while student support offices opened that afternoon for those with additional questions.
“It definitely sets the tone [for the new academic year],” said Hailey Monroe, a volunteer at an information booth in front of the Oakland Center. “It gets them excited, but I think working these events also gives us an opportunity to give them a more one-on-one, warm experience to know that staff and faculty are here to help them. We’re here not just to get them excited – we want them to succeed.”
Steve Grain, an information booth volunteer who also works at the Academic Success Center, mentioned students have come to him with questions both before and during the event that indicate a desire for preparedness as classes begin. “It’s interesting, I’ve already had a few students come into my office and ask some more nuanced questions,” Grain said. “I was like, cool, they’re already getting ready for the semester. There is a lot of good energy.”
The relaxed, fun atmosphere of the event stood out to several attendees. “I just wanted to get involved with school in my first year,” Jacob Bolin, a freshman majoring in Mechanical Engineering, said. “The casual vibe makes it more welcoming to me.”
Dennis Koval, a new student majoring in Communications, compared the event to previous new student welcomes he had attended. “I’ve been to [welcomes] before, you know, they’re usually sort of like a massive stadium, all the staff and faculty dressed in caps and gowns… This was a lot lower key,” he said. “Exciting, but comfortable.”
“It definitely feels a lot more personal.” Koval said. “I think it’s good to have some sort of introduction to the school year. It’s a lot easier than just jumping right into classes.”
Each year, New Student Welcome provides new students an opportunity to both familiarize themselves with campus and classes as well as address the challenges of the academic year bolstered by support from staff, faculty, and each other.
“I always say get involved,” Monroe said. “Whether it’s an on-campus job, a club, some kind of team, that’s always my first piece of advice to new students. You’re going to network, make friends, and more opportunities will just come to you by being involved.”
