Welcome Back - Part 2!

After a long week of waking up early to make it to class on time, meeting new professors, receiving 10+ page syllabi (and trying to figure out if it's humanly possible to complete all those assignments!), buying books, and generally organizing yourself to get back in the swing of things, it's time for a break! That's why student organizations Kappa Sigma, Students in Free Enterprise (S.I.F.E.) and the City of Painesville put on the Welcome Back Concert in Downtown Painesville.

The Welcome Back Concert features bands, LEC student organizations, vendors and Painesville-area businesses. It's completely free to attend and a great way for students, especially freshman, to get familiar with the City and everything it has to offer. Last year was the first year for the Welcome Back Concert, and all proceeds were donated to Habitat for Humanity by S.I.F.E. This year, Kappa Sigma took the reigns and donated the proceeds to their national philanthropy, the Military Heroes Campaign. The Kappa Sig's (who officially received their charter last Saturday -- congratulations!!) donated over $1,800 to their philanthropy!

The rainy weather did not stop us from having a great time - or from (crazy) volunteers facing the dunk tank to raise money for the Military Heros Campaign. I was cold just looking at them!! Retro 87 was the band playing when I was at the concert, which features 2 LEC Kappa Sigs. The Nick Zuber Band and others also played during the 6 hour event. And who could forget the appearance by Max, the *official* Gamma Phi dog (the Gamma Phi Tiberius, if you will) that is proud to wear pink and brown!

Well, the first week is officially over!! Only 15 more to go...

Welcome Back!

It’s official: school’s in session! What gave it away? The hundreds of boxes I helped new students carry into their dorm rooms last Wednesday? Or the Freshman Convocation welcome ceremony that took place Wednesday evening? Or maybe the fact that I could not find a place to park yesterday because every spot in front of College Hall was filled… all of those things may have had a little bit to do with it, but nothing signifies the official start of the new school year like Field Day.

Field Day always takes place the Sunday before classes begin, and is one of my favorite Lake Erie College events. President Victor has all of the LEC students, faculty and staff to his house located on the grounds of the Lake Erie College Equestrian Center for a huge picnic, complete with a DJ, inflatables (jousting and bungee run), a dunk tank, rock climbing, Cornhole, volleyball, even tug-of-war. Transportation is provided from main campus (since the Equestrian Center is about 6 miles away) and seriously, everybody is there!

This year did not disappoint! Competition was heated between Team Green and Team Orange (your team is decided by what color t-shirt you pick up when you walk in). The weather was GORGEOUS – not too hot and not too cold, and the view of Lake Erie was crystal clear from the top of President Victor’s driveway. The highlight for me this year? Watching 3 students being pulled into the pool of mysterious green liquid (okay, so it’s just water with green food coloring) after loosing an intense game of tug-of-war.

Even though Field Day is over and classes are starting, the fun is really just beginning. This is going to be such an exciting year for Lake Erie College; Austin Hall of Math & Science renovations are well underway, and should be open by this time next year. Lake Erie Colleges’ men’s and women’s lacrosse and tennis teams will compete for the first time. Kappa Sigma Fraternity and Gamma Phi Beta Sorority will be installed on campus as the first inter/national Greek organizations in the Colleges’ 150+ year history. Not to mention a slew of speakers, campus activities, horse shows, and more! I can’t wait!