Natasha Malakoti-Negad, Asheley Ortega, and Daniel Morales Maldonado share a lunch at the welcome picnic for second- and third-year students, Friday in the residence quad.
A picnic Friday in the residence quad welcomed back second- and third-year students who were deprived of a traditional in-person orientation week by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The gesture was appreciated by the hundreds of students who enjoyed everything from a box lunch to treats like ice cream and snow cones, to games and activities.
“We feel very special, finally getting to participate in Welcome Week,” said second-year computer science major Kelly Owenya. “We didn’t get a chance to do it in person last year.”
That is music to the ears of Phebe Lam, acting associate vice-president, student experience.
“We wanted to show our year two and three students that they matter to us,” Dr. Lam said. “So far, I have been hearing a lot of gratitude from the students here.”
Business student Daniel Morales Maldonado shared a blanket on the lawn with a couple of schoolmates.
“Free food, socializing with friends, what’s not to like?” he said. “I like meeting people, especially now that pandemic restrictions have lifted.”