Kennesaw State University’s Ignition leaders have brought a new meaning to freshman orientation this summer.
Freshman orientation started at the end of May and goes through the beginning of August. It’s a program designed to ensure a successful transition from high school to college.
Orientation at KSU begins at 8 a.m. and ends at 5 p.m. This year orientation is being held on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.
Incoming freshman attend from all over Georgia, the United States and even the world.
Alexander Stolz is a freshman who will be attending KSU in the fall and plans to major in political science. Stolz is originally from Miass, Russia. He moved to Elijay, Georgia, when he was 4 years old.
“My parents didn’t want to let go when my older siblings went to college,” Stolz said. “But with me they are getting used to it.”
During the day of orientation freshman take ID pictures, go on tours of the campus and housing, eat at the famous Commons, attend the Student Organizations Activities and Resources Fair, go to breakout sessions and select their classes for the fall semester.
Ignition leaders put a lot into freshman orientation, ensuring everyone that the transition will be smooth. The Ignition leaders are hand-selected by Donald Coleman, the director of orientation programs, and the rest of his team. The vigorous screening process that goes into finding Ignition leaders helps showcase the diversity at KSU.
“KSU pride is the first thing that we look for when recruiting Ignition leaders,” Coleman said. “The recruitment process involves an individual interview and a group interview.”
Kristan Huey, an Ignition leader, was inspired by her former Ignition leader when she came to freshmen orientation.
“I have a sense of pride when I’m sharing school spirit,” Huey said. “My first choice was University of Alabama.”
Lauren Young attended the orientation and really learned some things that she could take away with her. Young plans to study criminal justice.
“This orientation helped me realize that I made the right choice by attending KSU,” Young said.
The Student Organizations Activities and Resources Fair showcased different organizations that Kennesaw State University has to offer, from sorority and fraternity life to International Student Association and everything in between. The SOAR Fair had a booth for every interest and was a good way to get plugged in before the fall semester.
Overall, students can better navigate the campus after attending the freshman orientation.
