SWAG��Ƶ

BISMARCK, ND — It’s time to “Begin Your Life at Mary” for the new freshman class. There’s no better way to celebrate the excitement of the new 2019 school year than the traditional Welcome Week, Saturday, August 31, through Saturday, September 7, on campus. This week-worth of festivities acclimates new students with their surroundings and begins lifelong friendships with classmates and faculty as classes start Wednesday, September 4.

Freshman activities begin this Saturday with the option of attending Mass at either 9 a.m. or 11 a.m. at Our Lady of the Word Chapel in the Benedictine Center for Servant Leadership. Welcome Week registration is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., while assigned move-in ranges from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Every year, for this special event, the University of Mary brings in the big movers — the Marauders football team and teams from other fall sports clad in blue and orange — to help new UMary students move into their residence halls without breaking one drop of sweat.

“Teamwork is the key,” said Hinton. “Neither the freshmen students nor their siblings or parents will ever have to lift a finger, our athletes do it all for them in a fast and orderly fashion. It’s Benedictine hospitality and UMary’s way of saying thank you. Not to mention, a rewarding feeling for all the athletes involved.”

Campus tours and time to settle in and explore campus is from 2 p.m. until 3:30 p.m. The traditional President’s Welcome and Wheat Ceremony starts the evening at 5 p.m. followed by dinner for new students, family and friends at 6 p.m. in The Crow’s Nest.

The excitement of celebrating the freshmen’s arrival to campus on the first day of Welcome Week wouldn’t be complete without the highly anticipated and traditional Starlight Social at the president’s residence — complete with host Monsignor James Shea, a fire pit, s’mores, a dance under the stars and fireworks from 9:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.

This year’s freshman class, or the incoming Class of 2019, comes to the University of Mary from all over the world anxious to pursue nearly 60 degrees in various fields such as arts and sciences; engineering, business; health sciences; education and behavioral sciences, and taking Year-Round Campus — an innovative option that allows students to graduate in 2.6 years and even earn their master’s in 4 years. Students are also excited about the chance to study at University of Mary’s Rome campus, participate in 17 NCAA Division II sports, ACHA (American Collegiate Hockey Association) Hockey and numerous clubs and activities while receiving a faith-based education.

 For the remainder of Welcome Week details visit www.umary.edu/welcomeweek.