Whether you’re a brand new student or returning to campus after break, the Office of Student Life wants you to feel welcome and excited about the fall semester.

Welcome Week is Monday Sept. 12 through Friday Sept. 16 with activities and events held across the OSU Institute of Technology campus.

“I wanted to have something going on every day, but not just during the day, in the evening as well,” said Dustin Goodno, activities coordinator for Student Life.

Activities include those that have become traditions like the Welcome Back Lunch, Student Life Organization Fair, free movie night, voter registration booth and blood drive. There are plenty of new events as well such as Grocery Bingo Night, Get-A-Grip Fitness Challenge and Concert at the Kite.

“The concert is the thing we’re excited about the most,” Goodno said. “If we have 400 to 500 people there, I would be thrilled. I hope to do it every year.”

The band Unsung Alibi will headline and Tulsa food truck The Dog House will also be on hand serving specialty hot dogs during the concert on Wednesday Sept. 14 at 7 p.m. Attendees also have a chance to win Oklahoma City Thunder basketball tickets.

“We’re pushing it to make it the biggest event of the week,” said sports and wellness coordinator Kamie Rash. The concert is open to the Okmulgee community as well.

One of the band members of Unsung Alibi, Nick Graham, is also an OSUIT student pursuing a Bachelor of Technology degree in Instrumentation Engineering Technology.

Another new event is Grocery Bingo Night on Tuesday Sept. 13 starting at 5:30 p.m. in Covelle Hall. Students can win dorm room staples like plastic bowls and cutlery; laundry soap; air fresheners; toiletries; snacks and drinks; as well as gift cards.

“They can win hundreds of dollars in groceries and paper goods. It’s things kids can use in their dorms or off-campus,” Goodno said.

In addition to the concert, Oklahoma City Thunder tickets will also be awarded to the winners of the Get-A-Grip Fitness Challenge on Monday Sept. 12 and a winner will be chosen randomly from the those who register to vote during the three-day voter registration drive on Wednesday Sept. 14 through Friday Sept. 16.

Rash said the Welcome Week events are just the beginning of what Student Life has planned for the semester.

“One of the things we’ve done this year is pack that calendar with things for students to do,” she said. “We just want to give them more opportunities to get involved on campus. The more they can get involved, the more they can connect with other students, the more they can network.”

 

Welcome Week Events

 

Monday Sept. 12

Student Life Organization Fair 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Student Union

Get-A-Grip Fitness Challenge 6 p.m. Covelle Hall

 

Tuesday Sept. 13

OBI Bedlam Blood Drive 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Covelle Hall

Grocery Bingo Night 5:30 to 8 p.m. Covelle Hall Sponsored by Student Government Association

 

Wednesday Sept. 14

Welcome Back Lunch & Voter Registration 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Student Union

Concert at the Kite featuring Unsung Alibi and Dog House food truck 7 to 9 p.m. The Kite Sponsored by SGA

 

Thursday Sept. 15

Voter Registration 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Student Union

Free Movie Night 7 p.m. Orpheum Theatre in downtown Okmulgee

 

Friday Sept. 16

Spirit Day, wear orange or OSU gear to support the Cowboys

BMI Testing 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Covelle Hall

Voter Registration 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Student Union