University of Arkansas Continues Tradition of Welcoming New Students

The University of Arkansas invites all incoming students to kick-off their first year with the annual New Student Welcome this Sunday at 4 p.m. in Bud Walton Arena. The incoming class of first-year students will be informed and entertained with videos, speakers, music by the Razorback Band, and a special guest. The event culminates with Burger Bash in The Gardens, with fun, games and food.

Continuing with the more casual, pep rally-like theme of last year's New Student Welcome, this year will also have a more relaxed feel as administrators and student speakers address the incoming students.  This year students are encouraged to participate on social media with the hashtags: #UARKWELCOME and #YOUofA, so that family and friends can get a feeling for this event. 

"Our goal is to engage the incoming students and really emphasize the focus on their experiences and their successes here at the University of Arkansas," said Quincy Spencer, director of New Student and Family Programs. "This is the graduating class of 2017, and we want to encourage them to find their place on campus and see that they are building for their future today."

Tyler Priest, a senior from Morrilton majoring in international relations, European studies and political science, will act as the student emcee keeping everything flowing between speakers and helping guide the students through the event. Other student speakers include Bo Renner, Associated Student Government president, and Autumn Lewis, New Student Welcome speaker. Renner will discuss the role of ASG and lead the first-year students in the university's Alma Mater while Lewis will discuss what it means to be a part of the Razorback family and what students can do to help both the campus and surrounding Fayetteville community.

Joining the student speakers will be Chancellor G. David Gearhart, Sharon Gaber, provost and vice chancellor of academic affairs, and Danny Pugh, vice provost for student affairs and dean of students.

"We want students to feel at home here at the University of Arkansas," Gaber said. "Having an excellent academic experience and earning a degree are extremely important, and are the reasons students come here. We want them to learn about all aspects of student life and feel welcomed to the Razorback family."

New Student Welcome will also include a special guest speaker and culminate with a spirit rally from the University of Arkansas Freshman Band and Razorback Spirit Squads. Students will then head to Burger Bash in The Gardens where they will receive a "Class of 2017" T-shirt and can participate in the RSO Fair, inflatable games and dinner sponsored by Chartwells.