For the entering Freshman Class, we’ve got an entire week of activities lined up for you called Western WoW – a Week of Welcome events and opportunities to help you jump in and get involved.  Go to the Western WoW website at wow.wcu.edu to see the full schedule!  I want to especially draw your attention to two events that are just for you – Freshman Convocation and the Freshman Class Assembly.

Freshman Convocation is this Friday afternoon at 5pm in the Ramsey Center.  All freshmen and your families are invited to this official academic welcome to your University.  Then Saturday morning, the Freshman Class Assembly is an important introduction to the campus community and will help you get started on the right foot as a new Catamount.  Your attendance at both of these events is required so look for details on the schedule or ask your RA for more information.  In addition to the events planned for the freshmen there are also a variety of activities for the entire campus community.

I want to plug three really special campus-wide events that everyone is invited to attend and participate:  Valley Ballyhoo, the opening of the Campus Recreation Center, and a special “Meet the Cats” event.

Valley Ballyhoo is set for Saturday evening, August 16th on the UC Lawn.  It looks like we’ll have a record number of tables and displays set up for this year’s event.  C’mon out and meet your friends, join a student organization and have a blast at WCU’s traditional start to the academic year!

Then on Sunday afternoon, August 17th, at 1pm the new Campus Recreation Center opens!  The Rec Center Staff will be on-hand to provide tours and show you how the new equipment works, and then there is the climbing wall…  The Rec Center is an incredible place for WCU students to hang out and stay fit!

But wait, there’s more!  Starting at 6pm on Thursday evening, August 21st, come over to the Football Stadium to “Meet the Cats.”  The football team will hold a public scrimmage while the concessions stands serve up food and new WCU Catamount gear goes on sale.  Then at 7:30pm players, coaches, cheerleaders will be available for pictures, autographs, etc.  There’s some new Cats in town… c’mon out and meet them!

As always, I’d love to hear from you!  Send me an email: vc-notes@wcu.edu  If you have questions or comments, email ‘em to me.  And like I mentioned last time,, I’d love to hear what y’all did with your summer break!  Send an email and include a picture if you did something really cool and have pictures doing it.

Take care - Sam