First students arrive on campus for Bronco Days
Aug. 20, 2003
KALAMAZOO -- Some 1,500 first-time students are expected to be on the Western Michigan University campus today through Saturday, Aug. 23, for the fifth annual Bronco Days.
In honor of WMU's centennial, the theme for this year's program is "Building on Our Traditions." Bronco Days is a four-day special orientation program that helps first-year students make a smooth transition into the WMU community. It supplements the traditional summer orientation program by homing in on issues of particular significance to freshmen and providing a fun, informative, interactive and invigorating start to their college careers.
The program consists of training sessions and social activities that help participants adjust to college life and learn the skills necessary to succeed in a rigorous academic setting. It also allows participants to move in at the University four days before their peers, giving them extra time to become familiar with the campus as well as with student resources and services.
This year's participants are moving into their rooms from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. today (Aug. 20). The program will officially kick off at 8 p.m. with a convocation featuring a welcoming address by WMU President Judith I. Bailey in Miller Auditorium. Immediately following the convocation, Jud Laipply, a nationally recognized college speaker will encourage students to think about the changes they want to make in their lives as they begin their time at WMU.
Other presentations scheduled throughout Bronco Days include Jane Elliott's "The Anatomy of Prejudice," "The Real Buzz: The Truth and Lies About Campus Alcohol," and "Making the Grade." In addition to attending educational sessions on those and other topics, program participants will be invited to take part in a trip to downtown Kalamazoo, nightly entertainment and games, and an ending "graduation" ceremony from 11 a.m. to noon Saturday, Aug. 23, in Miller Auditorium.
For more information, contact Lori Nagel-Bennett in Student Activities and Leadership Programs at (269) 387-2115 or <lori.bennett@wmich.edu>.
Media contact: Jeanne Baron, 269 387-8400, jeanne.baron@wmich.edu