All We Can Say Is WoW!
The energy on campus is about to be catapulted into overdrive! Thursday, August 23, kicks off Weekend of Welcome (WoW) for new students. More than 650 first-year and 160 transfer students will move into their residence halls beginning at 9 a.m., assisted by more than 100 student volunteers (affectionately referred to as WoWies) comprised of sophomores, juniors, and seniors. New students and their families won’t have to worry about the heavy lifting, and can enjoy special treatment, as volunteers ceremoniously swoop in to unload cars, carry boxes of school supplies and personal effects, and help the new Gaels transition into their new home.
Moving into the residence halls is the first of many activities spanning four days steeped with games, a carnival, resource fair, pool party, and more. The traditional farewell barbecue for families is always heartwarming, as extended hugs and a spattering of tears mark the beginning of the new students’ SMC experience.
Perhaps the most photogenic and physically engaging activity is the distinctly sloppy and fun “Paint the SMC” event, happening on Saturday, August 25. During this longtime SMC tradition, students hike up the hill to paint the large SMC letters that overlook campus. No brushes are allowed. Students use only their hands to paint not only the SMC letters but each other! It’s not unusual to see students covered in spattered paint while boasting ear-to-ear smiles. This event brings truth to the statement, “A picture is worth a thousand words.”
For the WoWie volunteers, preparing for Weekend of Welcome begins weeks in advance. “Everyone has different teams that do different things to prepare for the incoming students. My team is Paint the SMC, and during Weekend of Welcome, we take the kids up to the SMC letters on the hill and have them paint them red, white, and blue to help signify their welcome to college and to Saint Mary’s,” said Bonadventure Soe, a senior at SMC. Sophomore Diana Carey is thrilled to be a Wowie: “We're going to be making banners and posters, and doing a lot of preparation to make the campus look super pretty for all the first years coming in. I’m so excited to see everyone’s smiling faces—everyone moving bags together so the families of new students don’t have to move a thing and can enjoy the last few hours with their student.”
Below is the WoW schedule and highlights. The information is also on the SMC website.
When: 9 a.m. Thursday, August 23, through Sunday, August 26
Where: Saint Mary’s College of California, 1928 St. Mary’s Road, Moraga, CA 94556
Thursday, August 23
9 a.m.–1 p.m. - Move-In
4:30 p.m. - Welcome Mass
5:30–7 p.m. - Farewell BBQ
7–7:45 p.m. - Meet your WoW group
8–9 p.m. - College Life Live
9–10 p.m. - Mandatory Hall Meeting
Friday, August 24
8–9 a.m. - Breakfast with your WoW Group; your WoWie will tell you when and where to meet
9:30–10:15 a.m. - New Student Convocation
10:30–11:30 a.m. – Make Your Home Among Strangers Book Discussions with Your Residence Hall
11:30 a.m.–1 p.m. - Lunch
1–3 p.m. - First Year Advising Cohort (FYAC) Meeting
3–3:30 p.m. - Meet Your SEAS Coach
4–5:30 p.m. - Yes! Yes! Yes! Coming to Terms with Consent and Preventing Sexual Violence
5:30–7 p.m. - Dinner/Black Student Reception
8–11 p.m. - Residence Hall Association (RHA) Soiree
Saturday, August 25
8–9 a.m. - Breakfast with your floor; your RA will provide more details
9 a.m.–12:30 p.m. - Living in Community: Hangouts/Community Life/Roommate Agreements
12:30–2 p.m. - Lunch
1–4 p.m. - Campus Rec Pool Party
4:30 p.m. - Paint the SMC; Meet on De La Salle Lawn
5:30–7 p.m. - Dinner
6–8 p.m. - Trips to Target; bus leaves from the campus bus stop at 6 p.m. and 7 p.m.
8–11 p.m. - WoW Carnival
Sunday, August 26
10 a.m.–6 p.m. - Bay Area Trips
12 p.m. - Men’s Soccer Tailgate
4:30–7 p.m. - Welcome Back BBQ sponsored by Gael Force and Campus Rec
8 p.m. - Alpha Mass