Incoming students get to know New College at Day at the Bay

Students enjoy a sunny morning by the bay with ice cream from American Honey Creamery.

More than 60 incoming first-year students and their families spent the day at New College’s Bayfront Campus July 20, for an opportunity to connect with new friends, find their way around campus, and explore the city they will soon call home in a relaxed setting before fall Orientation.

“Day at the Bay was a great way to meet and connect with people before move-in!” remarked incoming student Payton Sherer. “It was really nice to explore the campus, see what Sarasota is like and meet people before school actually started. It eased a lot of my nerves.”

Students gathered with their families at College Hall, where President Donal O’Shea and Provost Barbara Feldman welcomed them to campus. Faculty and staff from the Jane Bancroft Cook Library, Campus Police, Writing Resource Center, Financial Aid, Housing, Finance Office and First-Year Seminars greeted students at a bustling resource fair in the Music Room.

Some students were eager to see the residence halls they will soon call home, and resident assistants took them on a tour of the Pei campus. After a lunch catered by Metz, students rode trolley tours around Sarasota and competed in friendly field games by the bay.

Students explore Sarasota on a group trolley tour during Day at the Bay.

Liz Lebron, associate director of communications and Marketing and co-instructor of Heritage: Telling Stories of Our Past, spoke to students about the First-Year Seminar program. “Students are learning to navigate New College, and building community and a sense of belonging on campus,” said Lebron. “Day at the Bay allowed me to share the many benefits of the First Year Seminar program with incoming students.”

“The students I met at Day at the Bay were inquisitive and eager to join the New College community,” continued Lebron, “and I can’t wait to have them on campus in a few weeks.”

Students return to campus Saturday, August 17 for Orientation. For more information about Orientation, see https://www.ncf.edu/campus-life/orientation/.

— Anna Wright is a student worker in the Office of Communications and Marketing