The Ospreys have returned to the nest for another school year at Stockton University, and new students were welcomed with the annual Welcome Week. From August 29 to September 3, fun events and opportunities were given to first-year and transfer students who wanted to make new friends and learn more about their home away from home.

August 29 and 30 were reserved for new students to move into their dormitories and meet their roommates. To avoid anyone feeling lost, disoriented, or lonely, many returning students volunteered to help Residential Life by assisting these students and their families in moving in. Students from Fraternity and Sorority Life, the Honors College, Circle K, Residential Assistants, Transition Activity Leaders of New Students (T.A.L.O.N.S.), and more lent their time to rolling carts and heaving bags up to the rooms. Parents and students were able to ask any burning questions about the school and feel more at ease knowing that Stockton has plenty of welcoming and knowledgeable students to help them get on track.

August 31 brought a unique and curious event for new and returning students to learn about the effects of alcohol. The Stockton Entertainment Team (S.E.T.) had the privilege of hosting Keith Karkut, a professional hypnotist who demonstrated the risks of alcohol by hypnotizing volunteers into getting drunk from bottles of purified water. While the presentation brought laughter to the crowd, it also demonstrated how disoriented, confused, and reckless people become after drinking unhealthy amounts of alcoholic beverages.

Owen Thigpen, a freshman studying Marine Biology, described his experience: “It was definitely interesting. Being under was an odd experience. I didn’t totally realize what was going on, then when I came to, it was very odd.” He then pointed at a mild bruise on his elbow, saying, “I don’t know where this came from!”

Some of the students that had watched the hypnotic performance explained to him that while under hypnosis and believing he was drunk off of bottles of water, he fell off his chair, nearly off the stage, and passed out. Thigpen replied, “That’s awesome!”

Ayaan Mahmood, a Computer Science major, delivered such a notable performance that other students asked him if he was a Theater major or had any acting experience, to which he replied, “Not even close. This is my first time.”

He had enthusiastically participated and ensured that he would remain in the finalist group of participants that would experience being drunk off of water. The audience was entertained by all the participants, but were especially amused by Mahmood’s reactions to the hypnotic commands.

Karkut was very satisfied with the turnout of the event and the participation from the students. He said, “It was a nice group of students; some deeper than others, but some were really deep—scary deep. I hope they learned what to do if their friend gets really intoxicated. I’m not saying not to drink—it’s just to let them know: Don’t let them sleep it off. You have to be there to help them.”

He added, “Before I started [hypnosis] years ago, I found out that about 90% of college [drinking] related deaths could’ve been stopped if a friend only got the [victim] to the hospital instead of covering them with a pillow, a blanket, and a bedtime story. That’s my message: I’m not saying to go and get drunk, but it happens.”

For Labor Day, Fraternity and Sorority Life hosted the Labor Day Fest, which has become a great tradition on Stockton’s campus. The TRLC Quad was full of members and new students playing games, enjoying music, and eating free ice cream and custom coffees on one of the last hot summer days of the year. Some of the activities included a Scavenger Hunt that helped students find their way around campus, a raffle table with SET, and a professional artist who painted “name art” for students, designing their names in unique and colorful frames to put on their walls. Other available games were a mini-golf course and a cornhole beanbag game.

Students that checked into the event using Event Pass received one of the available vouchers for a free latte or ice cream sandwich. The ice cream was especially popular on such a beautiful day, containing many flavors from banana sundae to s’mores.

Bringing Welcome Week to a close was the annual Pep Rally in the Sports Center. Taking place on the very last day before the start of classes, September 3, first year and transfer students went to meet the Stockton Cheerleaders, the Stockton University Dance Team, and most importantly, the President of the university in a fun flurry of performances. President Bertolino dutifully concluded the rally with the iconic chant: “Soar Higher, Go Ospreys!” followed by the annual Greek Unity dance by Fraternity and Sorority members.

After the Pep Rally, students were led to participate in the Stockton tradition of walking around the track at G. Larry James Stadium to touch the iconic rock named after James. Following was the After Party in TRLC Quad, where clubs and organizations were able to advertise themselves to new students. Inflatable games were also available for students to play as well as the volleyball court and great music to dance to. A large chalkboard was set up for students to write down their aspirations and goals to meet before they graduate, which ranged from inspiring academic achievements like “Pass with Honors” to humorous ones like “Shave my head.” Students enjoyed barbecued hamburgers and hot dogs under the sun.

Many familiar faces from the Office of Student Development like Director Jeff Wakemen, Dr. Mat Greer, Coordinator Parth Thakkar, and Student Transition Programs’ Director Candace Mitchell attended the festivities, but one of the most famous faces was Mamma T, a non-traditional student who has become an iconic, friendly face around campus. She immediately won new students’ hearts with her sweet smile and enthusiastic disposition, decked out in Stockton merchandise to display her campus pride.

Students had generally positive feedback for the re-structured Pep Rally and After Party this year, finding it easy to meet new friends, get introduced to new clubs, and start finding their niches on campus throughout their first days as an Osprey.

Thomas Parisce, a freshman Communications major, said, “The Pep Rally was fun and really informative. A little early, but we made it work.”

Isabella Garrido, a freshman Philosophy major, stated, “I thought it was fun and everyone was super excited! It was kind of early, though.”

Fiona Larkin, a Biology major, commented, “I thought the Pep Rally was very fun; everyone was pumped up, we got to see the President.

Caitlin McCoy, an Exercise Science major, thought “the Pep Rally was good; it was a good way to get everybody together, to get all the information we would need to start our classes.”