New Student Welcome Shows Class of 2019 What It Means To Be A Razorback

Photo by UA Productions

A view of New Student Welcome from above.

Members of the Class of 2019 were given their first taste of what it means to be a University of Arkansas Razorback on Sunday, Aug. 23.

All incoming freshmen were invited to attend the New Student Welcome on Old Main lawn hosted by New Student and Family Programs. The entire event was brand new this year, replacing past welcomes held inside Bud Walton Arena.

With about 4,900 students, the Class of 2019 is the largest incoming class the University of Arkansas has ever seen.

"You have probably heard that you are a very special class," said Todd Shields, dean of the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, to the new students on Sunday. "It is my understanding that you are one of the largest freshman classes that we have ever had. You have one of the highest average ACTs and one of the highest overall GPAs."

To kick off the event, students congregated at the Fulbright Peace Fountain in front of Old Main before making their way through its doors.

"When you walk out the front door of Old Main, and these doors close behind you, that is a symbol that you have started your path to become among the very few people who have a college education," Shields said.

Shields encouraged students to make their time at the university about their wants, their dreams and their choices.

"When you walk through [Old Main's] doors, I don't care who you were or who you weren't in high school," Shields said. "I don't care who your parents say you are or who you aren't. I don't care who your friends say you are or who you aren't. When you walk through those doors, you are the only one who gets to decide who you are, who you become and what you accomplish."

Waiting on the other side of Old Main was a celebration for the incoming class complete with cheer teams, free food and Boss Hog. Students spread out across the grass, singing along to songs and chanting with the cheer teams in a sea of red.

But the New Student Welcome wasn't all about fun, food and games. Faculty, staff and student leaders were in attendance to cheer on the new students and congratulate them on their decision to join the Razorback family.

"One thing we're really pushing this year is being involved on campus and really engaging with students," said Tanner Bone, president of ASG. "And not just from a student government perspective, but really just to let them know there are a lot of outlets on campus to find their niche and get involved. That's really what I hope is the underlying message of all of this, that students recognize all of these opportunities and take advantage of them."

Bone said it was important for student leaders to be in attendance for the event to connect with the incoming students.

"I think it's a great opportunity for me, as leader of ASG, and for other campus leaders to really get to know these freshman," Bone said. "We want them to feel comfortable coming up and talking to any student leader about any issue that they have because they're a new set of eyes, so maybe they'll identify some things that we overlooked."

In his speech, Bone encouraged students to be engaged with campus, celebrate their successes as a student and make an impact while they are here.

"I know the first week of college is a big change for a lot of people," Bone said, "and it can be a little overwhelming, so hopefully they not only get to interact with each other but interact with some current students who can plug them into the right areas where they're interested."

Before releasing students to head toward the Arkansas Union for the New Student Welcome After Party, the Class of 2019 came together to sing the Alma Mater for the first time.

The image of the incoming class gathered together to share in the excitement and first-time jitters of starting college was a moment to remember for Jennifer Boyer, a freshman from Wichita, Kansas.

"I was really taken back at first," Boyer said. "This has really made it feel real. Being able to walk through this historic building and come out to all of this excitement really makes me realize I'm getting ready to start college [on Monday]."

To Drew Jones, a freshman from Little Rock, Arkansas, finally being able to call himself a Razorback is a dream come true.

"My dad and some of my family members came here, so I've always been a Hogs fan," Jones said, "but it's always been my dream to go here."

And Daniele Gibbons, a freshman from McKinney, Texas, can't wait to get her college career started.

"There's just so much school spirit here," Gibbons said. "It's a beautiful campus, so it's easy to start seeing yourself here."

This feeling of belonging and pride is what university administrators, faculty and staff, hope for every student that comes to the flagship campus of the University of Arkansas.

"You are unlikely to ever find a more interesting, intelligent, talented and diverse group of people as you are on a university campus like ours," said Dan Ferritor, interim chancellor. "Quite simply, your life will never be the same. It is my pleasure to welcome you to the University of Arkansas as the Class of 2019. I want you to know that we will be there with you every step of the way."