As the end of the academic year approaches, the University of Rhode Island hosted a Welcome Day for all accepted students on Saturday.
Welcome Day is an opportunity to show potential students what URI has to offer, in both academic and extracurricular aspects. It features various tours around campus, meet and greets with students and staff, opportunities to see the different clubs and programs at the University, and panels for the specific colleges including the College of Business, College of Nursing and more.
The Club Fair was hosted in the Ryan Center. Some clubs that had their booths presented were members of Greek Life, the Puppy Raisers Club and Rhody Christian Fellowship. There were also many academic programs for any students and families who are seeking support for any type of major.
“The application number was record breaking this year,” Cynthia Bonn, dean of undergraduate admissions, said. “We have more than 26,700 applications for first-year students. We expect to enroll about 3,200 first year students.”
It is expected that 3,000 accepted students will attend Welcome Day events, according to fourth-year students Gabrielle Pino and Cherilyn DeFreitas who worked at the check-in booth.
Earlier in the program at the optional morning block, a Support Fair took place in the Ryan Center, informing students and their families of the support options available for them during the transition into college, Pino said.
“You take control of your journey at URI,” DeFreitas said. “The resources that help you network, find jobs, or other stuff are not necessarily handed to you; you have to seek it out yourself. Joining clubs and organizations is your own journey.”
After leaving the Club Fair later in the day, third-year Matt Zannini offered some insight into his role as a tour guide and why he enjoys it.
“I think it’s really fun to be able to talk to prospective families seeing how they were in my shoes, helping them pick their college,” Zannini said. “I applied during a weird COVID era where I wasn’t allowed to tour schools, so it’s really fun to be able to do that for someone else.”
Throughout the day, a cowbell could be heard ringing every so often. This was to celebrate a student who has finally committed to URI, placing down a deposit and officially becoming a Ram. For Zannini and Bonn, their favorite part of Welcome Day was hearing a person become an official part of the University.
“Definitely explore your interests,” second-year Morgan Beck said. “Find other clubs or people who share your same interests and you’ll definitely find your group.”
URI’s third and final Welcome Day draws to a close on Saturday, April 21 for the 2024 spring semester. To register for the final Welcome Day, visit web.uri.edu/admission/welcome-day-2024/ .