At the beginning of every fall semester, Quincy University kicks off the new academic year with a vibrant Week of Welcome, a series of events designed to help new and returning students ease into campus life and connect with university resources. The week-long series included various events, from sipping flavored lemonade to expressing creativity with watercolors, writing on future goals with time capsules, and enjoying cookies.

One of the first events was the free watercolor “Crafternoon” with the Quincy Art Center hosted in QU’s Brenner Library. Students could participate in a peaceful watercolor session, where the Art Center provided supplies for free and students were encouraged to paint, draw, and take a chance to make some new connections with other students.

“We help students relax a little bit and gives them something to focus on outside of their studies,” Director of Education Rachel Roundtree said. “Also for some of the ones we have planned, it’ll take them back to their childhood a bit.”

The Registrar’s Office continued the week with an event that had students both reflecting on the future and enjoying the present. At the time capsule station, students wrote down their hopes and dreams for life after graduation, including their ideal career paths and dream vacation destinations. These time capsule papers will be returned to them at their graduation ceremony, offering an opportunity for students to reflect on their personal growth and see what their answers were in the years previously.

Alongside the time capsule activity, students were encouraged to participate in a raffle. Those who entered by submitting their names had the chance to win a variety of prizes, from ombre room lights to their very own game of spoons. The event also featured an assortment of free cookies for students to take as they please.

“I first came to the time capsule event because I didn’t really know what it was,” Megan Schill, sophomore, said. “But I’m excited to look back at my answers in a couple years and see how they changed over time.”

One of the most popular events was “Quench Your Thirst with Quest,” hosted by the office of student services. Students were offered free lemonade that had a variety of flavor options, including strawberry, blue raspberry, and peach. As they cooled off with their drinks, the Quest Center staff also encouraged students to learn more about the Quest services available to them. Quest offers academic advising, career counseling, and tutoring, and opportunities for Quest cash.

“We are doing Quench your thirst with Quest as our Week of Welcome event,” Coordinator of Experiential Learning Sarah Phillips said. “It’s been super hot outside and we have done this in the past and it’s always a huge hit.”

Through the heat and busyness of the first week of the semester, the Week of Welcome succeeded in helping students embrace the Fall semester and what the campus has to offer. With the Week of Welcome setting the tone, students are now feeling more prepared to tackle the new academic year ahead.