More than 7,000 students will begin their college careers Wednesday morning at the University.

The office of New Student Programs has been working on creating a comprehensive Welcome Days experience for all of the first-year Illini students. Welcome events includes events like Convocation, Sights and Sounds, the Taste of Nevada and Quad Day among many others.

Assistant Dean and Director of New Student Programs Abbey Wolfman said the week’s events will act as a guide for incoming students.

“The events are designed to help students as they transition to campus and introduce them to the many academic and social opportunities that exist at the University of Illinois,” Wolfman said.

Incoming freshmen are encouraged to pick and choose events based on their interests.

After contributing long hours to help create the events, New Student Programs graduate assistant Jordan Glaser, said she is excited to see the new students’ reactions.

“Sights and Sounds is a great way to kick off the fall semester with fellow new students while learning about University of Illinois traditions,” Glaser said.

This event has been going on for several years and Glaser said this isn’t something the students would want to miss out on.

Chris Ragland, an incoming freshman in LAS, said he appreciates how the University welcomes the students.

“I feel so energized with the fact that the University welcomes freshmen in this manner,” Ragland said. 

Macey Coppinger, an incoming freshman in LAS, said she cannot wait to begin her time at the University.

“I’ve always wanted to be a part of a bigger, more diverse and interesting family, and I know that U of I is the perfect place for me to begin that journey,” Coppinger said. 

She said Welcome Days will help her break the ice with her peers. 

“I am pretty shy so having plans already made will help me so much,” Coppinger said. “I think it’ll help all of us little freshmen feel more at home.”

Northern Illinois University transfer student Tyler Ellis, a junior in AHS, compared the University’s Welcome Days with NIU’s and said they do not have much in common.

“As far as U of I, the activities offered during Welcome Days are great,” Ellis said. “NIU on the other hand, had more parties as their Welcome Days and I feel that they could’ve offered more of a variety of activities that involved the whole campus so everyone would have a chance to meet more people than they are used to.”

Ellis said she transferred because she knew it would lead her to a brighter future.

Student Coordinator of New Student Programs Rachel Chlebanowski said this is the perfect way to start the year off. 

“It is the perfect way to start the year here at Illinois — students can really get a grasp as to how diverse and open this campus is and it’s great because it helps students see that no matter who they are, they will fit in here at Illinois,” Chlebanowski said.

Nyajai can be reached at [email protected]