"Your Journey Begins Here" Pitt New Student Orientation to Be Held Aug. 23-27

PITTSBURGH--Next week about 3500 University of Pittsburgh incoming freshmen and transfer students will descend on Oakland, and Pitt's orientation staff is waiting with open arms to welcome them and provide for a smooth landing as they glide into "Your Journey Begins Here," from Aug. 23 through 27. A host of orientation events including festive social activities, campus and city tours, information sessions, and the solemn Freshman Convocation and Lantern Night ceremonies are being planned for the students' successful transition to college.

Sponsored by Pitt's Division of Student Affairs' Office of Student Life, Orientation 2006 will feature tours of Pitt's Nationality Rooms, Heinz Memorial Chapel, and Petersen Events Center; a Molly's Trolleys city tour; a Gateway Clipper ride to Fanfest at Heinz Field on the North Shore; a "Meet and Greet" ice cream social; an "Aloha Luau"; entertainment by comedian Craig Carmean; "Game and Carnival" night; and a Student Activities Fair from 2 to 5 p.m. Aug. 27 in the Skywalk, David Lawrence Hall, and Posvar Galleria and Plaza.

University staff will be available to answer questions and provide information at Orientation Station, open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Aug. 23 through 25 in the William Pitt Union (WPU) Lower Lounge. Tickets for Wednesday's Molly's Trolleys tours will be available there, and students also can sign up for Saturday social activities.

Scheduled information sessions include presentations on student life and the importance of getting involved, leadership, student health services, campus safety, fraternity and sorority life, and Pittsburgh's cultural community through the Pitt Arts program, among others. Parents can attend many of the sessions as well as "The Art of College Parenting," with columnist and author David Coleman, from 12:15 to 1:15 p.m. Aug. 24.

New this year is "PITTsburgh. . . Bringing Our Great City and People to You" from 7 to 10 p.m. Aug. 23 in the WPU Assembly Room, Ballroom, and Kurtzman Room; "Life on Campus. . .Student Stories" from 1:15 to 2:15 p.m. and 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. and "Life on Campus . . . From the Experts" from 2:15 to 3:15 p.m. and 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Aug. 25 in Soldiers and Sailors Museum and Memorial Auditorium; and "What You Need to Know" from 10 a.m. to noon Aug. 26 in the Petersen Events Center, presented by Judge Mitch Crane, who has spoken at more than 300 campuses across the country.

The formal Freshman Convocation Ceremony will be held from 2 to 3 p.m. Aug. 24 in the Petersen Events Center where Chancellor Mark A. Nordenberg, Provost James V. Maher, and other distinguished members of the University in academic regalia officially welcome freshmen to Pitt. Kathy W. Humphrey, Pitt's vice provost and dean of students, will give the Convocation Address. The Chancellor's Welcome Reception immediately follows the ceremony, giving students and their families an opportunity to mingle with University faculty, students, and staff.

The traditional Lantern Night Ceremony in Heinz Memorial Chapel at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 27 will be the formal culmination of events.

For more information, call 412-648-1074 or visit www.studentlife.pitt.edu/orientation for a complete schedule of events.

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