The latest incoming class of Avila University Eagles received a warm welcome this Wednesday at an end-of-summer barbeque hosted by the Office of Admissions at Jeanne Hamilton Olofson Plaza.
The event acted as an unofficial kickoff to the 2019 academic year, as 60 incoming freshmen and their family and friends had the opportunity to meet representatives of many departments and offices from across campus.
“The driving force behind the event was to show our incoming first-year students a good time and give them an opportunity to meet their fellow incoming Eagles and to engage with the greater Avila community,” said Josh Parisse, assistant vice president of undergraduate and graduate admissions. “It’s important to provide these new students the chance to develop and solidify relationships with the Avila family and we’re very pleased with how this event facilitated those connections.”
In addition to the in-person time with students and Avila faculty and staff, attendees were treated to food from Kansas City institutions Jack Stack Barbeque and Betty Rae’s ice cream. Activities such as pickle ball, cornhole and others ensured a lively atmosphere to close out the summer.
While this year’s iteration mostly focused on welcoming traditional undergraduate students, Parisse said future installments will bring non-traditional and transfer students into the fold. This is to better serve the increased number of incoming students taking a less-traveled path to an Avila degree.
For more information about attending Avila, please visit the Office of Admissions homepage.