Tuesday, August 11, 2009

UNCWelcome events will help returning students and nearly 2,000 freshman gear up for classes at the University of North Carolina Wilmington.

For more than 10 years, UNCWelcome has unified students with fun and engaging events. Many events are designed to aid new, non-traditional, commuter and transfer students with their transition into a higher education institution.

When the fall semester begins, nearly 40 percent of UNC Wilmington students will live in on-campus housing. The latest edition to on-campus housing, Seahawk Crossing, will welcome tenants during Move-In Day on Saturday, Aug. 15.

Unless specified, UNCWeclome events listed below are open ONLY to media and the UNCW community:
Saturday, Aug. 15
Move-In, 8 a.m. - 1 p.m.
More than 1,600 volunteers will help students move into residence halls as part of a long standing UNCW tradition.

Monday, Aug. 17
Convocation/official welcome of the Class of 2013, 10 a.m.; All-campus lunch, noon
A mass of new students will participate in first "Trask Trek" of the semester, starting at the Clocktower and ending with a formal academic ceremony in Trask Coliseum, followed by an all-campus lunch celebration on the lawn near Hoggard and Alderman halls.

Tuesday, Aug. 18
Beach Blast, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.; Beach Sweep, 4 - 6 p.m.
An alcohol-free day at Crystal Pier at Wrightsville Beach will be followed by a student clean-up of the beach. More than 2,500 students are expected to soak up the sun, surf the waves, enjoy free music and participate in the other sponsored activities at this safe and sober gathering. A UNCW student ID will be required to board free shuttles and to receive a wristband needed to participate in Beach Blast activities. UNCW students will be checked for alcohol before entering Beach Blast. The general public will be granted access to the event, but will not receive wristbands and cannot obtain free vendor refreshments. Around 40 UNCW staff, student leaders and local police will assist with the management of the event.

Wednesday, Aug. 19
Fireworks Extravaganza, 7 p.m. in Gazebo recreation area behind the student Recreation Center; fireworks to be launched at 9 p.m.
Community residents surrounding the UNCW main campus need to be aware that they may hear controlled fireworks and music from this closed event.

Thursday, Aug. 20
Seahawk Neighborhood Walk, 4 - 6 p.m. to begin at Seahawk Perch, Fisher Student Center
UNCW volunteers will serve the community by handing out welcome bags to residents located near campus.

Wednesday, Aug. 26
Involvement Carnival, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. on Campus Commons, near Clocktower
Nearly 4,000 students will engage in activities and learn about the variety of involvement opportunities available to students in the UNCW and Wilmington communities.

For a complete list of activities, visit http://www.uncw.edu/stuaff/activities/documents/UNCWelcomeBookletFINAL.pdf

Media contact:
Joy Davis, UNCW Marketing and Communications, 910.916.8603 or davisjc@uncw.edu