Royal Purple

Issue date: 9/5/07 Section: Arts & Lifestyle

New students sit with Willie Warhawk

Media Credit: Brad McAllister Freshman Michelle Fleisner shows off her winnings from the cash cube

Many of the more than 2,000 freshmen who are anticipating the start of classes this week already feel like they fit right in.

For new students, Warhawk Welcome provides the opportunity to mingle and make new friends, and to become better acquainted with campus. New Student Programs sponsors the events in hopes to make new students feel more comfortable and at home.

With a range of athletic events, speakers and parties, however, Warhawk Welcome also entertains upperclassmen and community members.

Warhawk Welcome began last Wednesday and ends this Sunday. Performers during Warhawk Welcome vary in personality and appeal.

Comedian Robbie Printz is sure to bring in laughs with his performance tomorrow at 9 p.m. in Light Recital Hall. Willie's Block Party was held last Saturday on Goodhue Grass. For those who missed it, another party is scheduled for this Saturday on the lawn outside Drumlin Hall at 11:30 a.m. Women's and men's soccer games will end the festivities on Sunday afternoon at noon and 2 p.m. on Fiskum Field.

Sophomore transfer student M'Lyssa Hoops went to Mike Domitrz's speech last Thursday in the Irvin L. Young Auditorium in hopes of easing the transition to a new school. Domitrz, a UW-Whitewater alumnus and dating expert, talked to the new students about his book, "May I Kiss You? A Candid Look at Dating, Communication, Respect and Sexual Assault Awareness."

Students came away not only with a new outlook on romance, but they got to share a fun experience with friends. Hoops was able to bond with her peer mentor group at the speech.

"We spent all day together, so we were kind of all friends," Hoops said. "It was kind of awkward though because [the speech] got really emotional, and I'm not that close with these people."

Hoops is glad to know the campus cares enough about students to offer events like Domitrz's speech for free.

"I don't want to sound stupid, but it was really educational," Hoops said. "I really liked it a lot."

Hoops has enjoyed the friendly atmosphere of UW-Whitewater and the luxury of having peer mentors who give tours of the campus to new students.

"They made it really easy for you to find your way around campus and not totally get lost," Hoops said. "I still don't know where my classes are, but I know where the [Residence] Halls are. I think I might just stick on Starin and Prairie; as long as I'm on those streets, I'm okay."

Peer mentor Rebecca Linstead stresses the importance of attending Warhawk Welcome events with your peer mentor group.

"If you don't find anyone you know, you're kind of lost on campus," Linstead said. "This way you have friends; you've all been through it together.

New students who have questions about campus, or who are experiencing first-year jitters, are encouraged to contact New Student Programs with their concerns at (262) 472-3205 or stop by Goodhue Hall, Room 300.

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