FRESHMEN BEGIN JOURNEY AT BLOOMFIELD COLLEGE
September 3, 2002, Bloomfield, NJ -- Bloomfield College welcomed more than 240 incoming freshmen to an orientation program held on campus recently. In the day-long session, college faculty, administrators, upper-classmen and alumni worked closely with members of the Class of 2006 to introduce them to the College’s academic programs, support services and student activities.
The College also welcomed more than 100 parents of incoming students to a special orientation program designed to acquaint them with the College’s programs and encourage them to take an active role in their child’s college experience.
“Bloomfield College’s orientation program is designed to enhance students’ chances of achieving academic, social and personal success. The conversations and the learning that begin during orientation are designed to help students identify and clarify their life goals,” said orientation co-chair Rose Mitchell, Assistant Dean for Freshmen/Executive Director EOF.
“It is our sincere hope that the orientation program encourages students to reflect on their educational, personal, and professionals journeys within. In addition, we hope it inspires them to seek new journeys beyond their imagination,” said Mitchell.
The orientation program, whose theme was “Journeys: Within And Beyond,” began with a welcome from First Year Experience Coordinator Maria Dyer, Vice Presidents Lourdes Delgado and John Johnson as well as Day Student Government President Terrance Bankston. The keynote address was delivered by scholar, entrepreneur, and community leader Dr. Randal Pinkett. Student life sessions allowed incoming freshmen to meet with Student Affairs staff, discuss their college expectations, and participate in group activities and team-building exercises.
In a “Diversity Values” session, students were asked to read a number of short prayers and reflections from a variety of cultures. Students then individually composed their own reflections, and later worked in groups to combine their reflections into a common prayer.
Freshmen also participated in a session on “Connecting the Mind, Body & Spirit,” led by staff of the Bloomfield College Wellness Center. This interactive session was designed to help students deal with controversial issues, learn how to examine the facts, evaluate differing opinions, identify their own values, and make good decisions.
Founded in 1868 as a Presbyterian seminary, Bloomfield College is an independent, four-year, co-educational institution offering 1,900 full- and part-time students programs in the liberal arts and sciences and professional studies. The College has earned national recognition for its innovative, high quality academic and co-curricular programs; its leadership role in multicultural education; its commitment to serve students from diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds; and its mission to prepare students to attain academic, personal and professional excellence in a multicultural and global society.
