New Post: UB Welcome Class of 2015 to campus

UB Welcome Class of 2015 to Campus

BY: Chris Hogan      

          It couldn’t have been a better day last Saturday when UB hosted its annual Accepted Students Day to greet the incoming freshman class of 2015. The weather was perfect and the atmosphere was strong with positivity as students got a better feel of what to expect academically and take a peek at life on campus.

            When the fall 2011 semester starts, there is expected to be an estimate of around 540-550 arriving freshman, according to Dean of Admissions Bryan Gross. Accepted students hailed from far and near including Oregon, Rochester, NY, Wallingford, CT and Coventry, RI.

            Gross felt the event went extremely well because of the positive vibes felt and warmness amongst the current students and faculty directed towards the families visiting.

            “The energy was incredible on campus and all of the families that I talked to seemed to be really excited about UB,” Gross said. “What I think really made the event special was the close of direction the students got to have with the faculty and it was the “Classroom Testdrive” that personal attention that gave students that sentimental and favor of what it is going to be like for them to be a student here.”

            Throughout the day, there were several proceedings that went on for the students and their families. One of the biggest events was entitled “Classroom Test Drive”, which was designed for the incoming students to get a better perspective of their intended major with a representative from that department that spoke to them. Other activities on the agenda included campus tours including a visit to Cooper Hall and Wahlstrom Library as well as presentations from Career Services and Financial Aid.

            Miguel Arroyo, the Campus Visitation Coordinator for Admissions, felt right off the bat the incoming class will have an impact on the university.

“We [Admissions Staff] were interacting with smart and articulating and enthusiastic group of young people who without any doubt are going to leave a mark in the university as they continue through their four years,” Arroyo said. “They are an amazing group of young individuals.”

Majority of students will major in Psychology/Human Services, Mass Communications and Fashion Merchandising.  Arriving students also stated that they are excited about upcoming renovation of Marina Dining Hall and also being close to the Long Island Sound.

            Johannes Brus, a Graduate Assistant Worker in Admissions commends the current student body and their commitment level in assisting the families that he hadn’t seen in the past.

            “I have even seen students today step up and take “Ask me” stickers just so that they could be a part of the action today and answer questions,” Brus said. “I don’t feel like my first year we had those kinds of students here so much and now I see a lot more student involvement and I have been very impressed by it.”

            Gross feels President Neil Albert Salonen, Provost Hans Van Der Giessen and Chief Finance Officer Sue Williams deserve a lot of crediting with the entire process to make this possible and has some kind words for the Class of 2015.

            “We are really proud to have you here and you have a lot of hard work ahead of you but you also have a lot of fun,” Gross said. “Don’t take anything for granted, work hard, and be open to change,”