Purdue University Northwest welcomes new and returning students to campus with free swag, resources and connection

Purdue University Northwest (PNW) welcomed students back for the new academic year during the university’s annual Welcome Rallies on August 26 and 27. The rallies cap off PNW’s Welcome Week and give both new and returning students the opportunity to meet with their peers, learn more about campus life, participate in fun activities and giveaways, and start the new academic year off right.

The chance for students to begin the semester already engaged with the campus is something PNW likes to encourage. It gives newer students an easier time adjusting to college life, and it helps older students develop connections and relationships.

“These events are a great celebration for our students being welcomed back to campus and to start off their academic year on a good foot. They’re also able to learn about all the different resources and ways that they are supported in their academic journeys during their time here at the university,” PNW Media and Communications Specialist Kale Wilk said. “Whether you’re a student experiencing your first semester as part of the PNW Lions or you’re somebody who’s getting ready to graduate, there’s something for everyone.”

Over 90 registered student-led organizations are very involved in each campus’ Welcome Rally, greeting freshmen and teaching them more about the variety of ways they can become an active part of the PNW community.

“You have a number of opportunities to apply your interests and your passions with PNW student organizations,” Wilk said. “When students join up with student organizations, they find different ways to connect with their peers. These organizations also have a faculty or staff mentor, so students have professionals at the university who are able to network and connect with them. They build key friendships that they can maintain and grow while they’re here at the university, or even after graduation.”

For the clubs, the annual Welcome Rallies provide the chance to connect with a new wave of students. Christian Moutry, president of Purdue Northwest Baja Racing, sees a direct correlation between student engagement outside of the classroom and performance in school.

“Clubs are great. They improve your grades and improve your life,” he said. “The more you become involved in a club, the better you do in school. I love Baja. It’s a fantastic way to get your engineering skills and to become a better person overall.”

Helping students feel a sense of comfort and belonging is something university faculty and staff strive toward during Welcome Week.

“At PNW, we always want to make sure our students feel welcomed as part of the university community,” Wilk said. “PNW Lions exercise grit, determination, dedication, and resilience in all that they do, and it’s important for students to know that right away at the beginning of the school year, especially if it’s their first time at the university.”

Other Welcome Week activities included school pictures and an exploration of PNW’s Greek Life. Many of the university’s student organizations also began recruitment in the days leading up to the Welcome Rallies. Introducing new students to everything the university has to offer early in the academic year is one of the keys to their continued success at PNW.

“When students are having that first experience of being out of high school and beginning to understand the demands and requirements of a college academic lifestyle, an event like the Welcome Rally is able to show them, ‘Hey, you’ve got a lot of people who are just like you and who are also figuring this out,’” Wilk said. “They have peers who might be a few years into the university who have advice and other resources that they’re able to share. You also have a network of faculty and staff who ultimately want to see you succeed. Showing students that right away helps them get off on a strong foot so that they can have an excellent experience, both in this academic year and going forward.”

It’s an effort that’s greatly appreciated by the Lions, especially incoming students like Tom McConnell.

“It really helps me feel connected with everything at PNW,” McConnell said. “It’s nice to see what the college has available and how to reach out. I’m really enjoying my experience here so far. It’s really fun.”

While the Welcome Rallies get students off to an exciting start at PNW, events where students can gather, chat, and have fun together are far from rare at the university. With events like the Welcome Back BBQ, the Homecoming Sports Festival, outdoor movies, Halloween activities, and more planned for the fall, getting involved with PNW’s campus life has never been easier for students.

Interested in learning more about Purdue University Northwest and its degree paths? Visit pnw.edu to learn about becoming a student, paying for college and more.