AUK Holds Fall Semester Welcome Week

To kick off the semester and celebrate the start of classes, the Office of Student Life organized a Welcome Week packed with events to help integrate new students and allow returning ones to catch up with friends.

Opening the week was the Welcome Back Barbecue in the recreation area near the Liberal Arts building on Monday. Students and faculty socialized, the Drama Department faculty handed out flyers for the University's production of West Side Story, and students passed by bustling to and from classes. Enjoying the live music with a friend after classes, sophomore Estabraq Abadi talked about her view of education here at AUK saying, "I think the way we study here at AUK is cool. I really appreciate the barbeque because the food is good."

Music for the event was provided by the music department. Alternating sounds of upbeat jazz and classical music filled the courtyard with an atmosphere of excitement.

Tuesday brought faculty and staff together with students for competitive sports events. Going head-to-head, the faculty/staff vs. students games started at 2pm in the indoor court beginning with a soccer match which was then followed by a basketball game. The bleachers were full of people as both sides cheered for their favorite team. The soccer game ended at a 5-to-5 tie, and the student team swept the basketball game away-beating the faculty/staff 20-12. Closing out the night was a viewing of Avengers: Age of Ultron in the Student Lounge.

The start of any school year brings not only the start of classes, but the start of club and organization activities. Wednesday afternoon, the Club Fair was held in the main hallway. Students crowded the hallway, stopping by tables and listening to music that played from speakers. At the AUKause table, cookies and notebooks were given out as the organization talked about their upcoming blood drive and winter break trip. Other tables had donuts, candy, and games set up on iPads.

Bringing the week to a close was a casual ice cream social on Thursday afternoon. As Student Life and the University welcomed back students, returning students welcomed each other back as well-glad to see familiar faces. After a long summer, Welcome Week was the perfect way to set the tone for the year.

Images from the Welcome Week