Welcome Back Thunderbirds

Everyone on campus welcomed new and returning students to the first day of class on Monday, August 22 - even Gunther The Rock (painted by SUUSA) was part of the celebration.

Flight School, the orientation for new Thunderbirds, was held August 18-20. It was filled with motivational speakers, training and activities (campus tie-dye, movie night, service Saturday) to help the newest members of our SUU family settle into college life.

One highlight of Flight School is the annual freshmen assembly followed by the Carter Carillon Tradition. This tradition entails new freshmen processing from the Centrum to the Upper Quad where they walk under the Carillon to the cheers and high-fives of faculty, staff, alumni and students. It is a freshman's passage into the Thunder Nation, and of course the only time he or she should walk under the Carillon before graduation.

Flight School made such an impression on students and families that one parent, Joyce Frahm Read, posted the following on Facebook:

"I want to sincerely thank all of the staff and students for all of their hard work over the past several days. What you put on for the new incoming students was simply the most amazing thing I've ever seen. The orientation, the speakers, and Flight School were wonderful. I knew when I drove away from SUU yesterday that my son had made the absolute RIGHT choice when picking a university. Thank you so much for all you do!!"

What a great start to a very promising year!

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New Student Alumni Freshmen

Prior to Thunderbird Flight School, new freshmen members of the Student Alumni Association met on August 17, to become acquainted with each other and learn more about their involvement with Student Alumni during the coming year.

Later that evening, they met up with other freshmen leaders from across campus for dinner, activities and words of advice and encouragement from Donna Eddleman, Vice President of Student Services.

The mission of the Student Alumni Association is to facilitate interaction and understanding between current students and the SUU Alumni Association. The organization works to enhance the student experience by providing leadership and involvement opportunities that build and strengthen a lifelong loyalty to SUU while helping students become aware of their potential role as an alumnus.