Cheers of “Go Blue! Go Dearborn!” were heard across campus on Friday as more than 600 incoming students experienced campus for the first time.
Students enjoyed outdoor fun like games and inflatables, food and music on the University Center patio, an organization fair that took place across the main campus and more during Wolverine Welcome Day and the Go Blue Bash.
Mechelle Smith, who moved to Dearborn from Saginaw to attend UM-Dearborn, said the day was a no-pressure way to feel connected to campus as a new student.
Smith said one of her academic goals is to be a Michigan graduate — and UM-Dearborn had the criminal justice program she was interested in. Her career aspiration is to serve as a juvenile corrections officer one day.
“I know what it’s like to grow up in a difficult situation and come out on the other side,” said Smith, a veteran who joined the Army after high school. “I’ve completed my time in the Army and am ready to help kids who may have turned to the streets because they’ve had trauma, homelessness and more. I’m ready to be here and am looking forward to my classes — my Introduction to Criminal Justice course starts Monday.”
She said the events were also was a way for her to learn building locations and explore where her classes were located prior to the Fall 2022 semester beginning: “This is new, so I’m a little nervous. Seeing everything ahead of time helps me get prepared. Now I’m feeling ready.”
In addition to individually checking out campus buildings and getting a peek to where the different classrooms were located, the new students gathered as a large group, too.
The Wolverine Welcome Rally, which took place in the field outside of the College of Arts, Sciences, & Letters Building, featured cheers, the Michigan Fight Song and plenty of chatter as students got to know one another. Campus leaders introduced themselves, shared campus traditions and gave encouragement to the new Dearborn Wolverines.
Dean of Students Amy Finley said she looks forward to seeing what the new UM-Dearborn class accomplishes — and based on the perseverance they’ve already shown, she knows they will do great things.
“You’ve navigated the end of high school in a global pandemic. You’ve mastered new technologies. All of this has shaped and molded you. It also has provided evidence of how your generation will be called upon soon to provide leadership, to develop new medicines, to solve a climate crisis and more. It will be people just like you who change the world,” Finley said. “You will change the world.”
Upper-level students then presented the newest Dearborn Wolverines with maize and blue keys, as a gesture to officially welcome them to their new home.
“I’m glad to be here. I’m a U-M student. We all are,” Smith said. “This is a major step in what’s next for all of us.”
Want to see more? Check out the Facebook album to experience the day for yourself.
Article by Sarah Tuxbury.
