Opening Day leaves volunteers, students satisfied
Jennifer Pearsall/Pioneer
Candace Hyams, liberal studies major (left), and Kendall Briceland, sociology major (right), stand holding their prizes.
Jennifer Pearsall
Staff Writer
pioneerphotog@occc.edu
Candace Hyams, liberal studies major, won the drawing for a new Dynex 22-inch LCD high definition television from the spring 2010 Opening Day on campus Saturday, Jan. 16, said Stephanie Baird, First Year and Student Life program coordinator.
In addition to the television, a Nintendo Wii was given away to Kendall Briceland, sociology major.
Baird said about 350 people attended Opening Day, less than the fall semester’s Opening Day.
Personalized tours and free snacks were, by far, the most popular among the students, evident by the long lines of those waiting for a college professor or staff member to show them where their classrooms were located.
“I came to get some popcorn and find my classes, so I don’t look crazy on the first day,” said Karlyn Morrison, theater major.
Morrison said this was her second time to come to Opening Day.
Christa Cunningtubby, accounting major, said she always attends.
“I like coming to Opening Day each semester to find my classes,” Cunningtubby said.
“My favorite part is the free snow cones.”
To encourage students to learn more about OCCC, Student Life put together a scavenger hunt for Opening Day, Baird said.
“We wanted a way for students to become more engaged in the event,” she said.
Baird said the goal was to complete five tasks: Sign-up for a personalized tour, take the tour, visit the library booth, check out the Communication Lab, and stop by the Safety and Security booth.
Once students completed all five tasks, they received a free OCCC T-shirt.
Baird said about 143 students participated.
The library also got in on the action.
“We are passing out print cards and telling about the library services,” said Librarian Mary Grace Berkowitz.
Print cards are used to print documents in the Keith Leftwich Memorial Library, she said.
Students are given 60 free prints a semester which can be uploaded on to their print card at the circulation desk with their student I.D.
“We are putting a human friendly face on the library and discussing ‘The Maltese Falcon’ for the next Big Read.”
The Big Read is a nationwide program to encourage people to read.
Security Officer Jeff Porter told students about the Safety and Security office and its role on campus.
“We explained what we do and that we have 240 (surveillance) cameras on campus,” Porter said.
Baird said, “There is no way this event would be do-able without the volunteers.”
About 60 faculty, staff and student volunteers served in various positions, Baird said.
Many led tours, including President Paul Sechrist.
Others staffed the refreshment stands.
Jorge Lopez, Modern Languages professor, helped run the snow cone stand.
“I really enjoy helping out,” Lopez said. “It is a good service to the college. I also like to see the diversity of our new students. It’s wonderful.
“That, and I like snow cones.”
