Wildcat Welcome: Turning Students into Wildcats

Sonia Paulo August 30, 2018

Students pose with Willie the Wildcat mascot

Photos by Jason Halley and Jessica Bartlett / University Photographers

This past week has been a wild one, as we welcomed roughly 2,300 first year students and transfer Wildcats to campus. Throughout the past week incoming students were not only introduced to new people, but to new experiences and opportunities that provided the foundation for a successful University experience. With over 25 events that introduced students to campus, the community, and to one another, this year’s Wildcat Welcome showed students what being a Wildcat is all about!

Wednesday 8/22: Move-In

The week started in full swing on Wednesday, as residents got their room assignments and moved into their new homes. Students from a variety of campus clubs and organizations came out to welcome our new Wildcats and help them settle in. By Thursday, incoming students had met their roommates, made new friends, and said goodbye to parents, officially commencing their college experience.

Students push move-in bins into Whitney Hall — Staff and student volunteers helped about 560 new residents move into Whitney Hall.

Students smile as they wait with their move-in bins — Students McKenzie Frost (center) and Katie Markese (right) were among the many student volunteers that assisted during move-in.

Mom and daughter pose for selfie in front of Whitney Hall — Zoë Smith (left) takes a selfie with her mom Susie Smith (right) as they prepare to move in to Whitney Hall.

Students push move-in bins by Lassen Hall — Transfer student Juliana Leedeman (left) was one of the many transfer students to move into university housing this past week.

Mother and son carry a full move-in bin up the stairs — Move-in was no easy task. New residents broke a sweat, as they carried move-in bins up the Lassen Hall stairway.

A large number of student volunteers assisted new residents during move-in.

Move-in went smoothly thanks to the many volunteers that assisted new residents with the process.

New students excited to move in. (Jessica Bartlett/ University Photographer)

New residents remain excited about moving in despite the heat.

The Whitney Hall elevators made moving into the university’s largest residents hall a lot easier.

Thursday 8/23: Sunset Social

Students got their first taste of the college social life at the Sunset Social, hosted by UHUB on Thursday evening. Students enjoyed snow cones, played bean bag toss, won some prizes, and had a great time at the first of many residents events meant to provide social opportunities that bring students together.

Friday 8/24: Big “C” Welcome Ceremony

New Wildcats rose bright and early Friday morning for our annual Big “C” Welcome ceremony. Here, new students found out what it really means to be a Wildcat. Speeches from Associated Students President, Alisha Sharma, and University President, Gayle Hutchinson, got school spirit soaring as they explained what it means to be a Chico State student. For the grand finale, all 2,300 new Wildcats formed a big “C” on the field for their class of 2022 photo. “Go Wildcats!” could be heard echoing through the stadium as students threw their hands in the air and posed for the photo.

First year students get excited as they pose with Willie the Wildcat

University President Gayle Hutchinson hypes students up with Chico State pride.

About 2,300 first-year and transfer students formed the annual Big “C” photo. (Photo courtesy of Distinct Perspective LLC)

Monday 8/27: EdXChico

Our new Wildcats began the first day of their college career on Monday, as classes started up in full force. As students crossed Glenn Lawn, they could hear words of insight and encouragement coming from the first annual EDXChico talk. Students and faculty gathered to hear some of our most esteemed professors discuss the value in higher education and the importance of exploring one’s intellectual curiosity.

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Sonia Paulo