Freshman Kapri Chase and her mother, Ellen Tyler, are at the “unloading the vehicle” phase of moving in to Kapri’s campus home in Harley Hall. Her aunt, Cynthia Tyler, and cousin, Jasmine Blanding, were on hand to lend their assistance. Kapri was one of approximately 1,500 students who entered Ship as the Class of 2010. (Photo courtesy of Lauren Reilly of the News Chronicle.) Inset, above: Part of freshman orientation is getting to know one another and what better way than over food?

Almost 2,000 new students, including transfer students started their academic life at Ship with four days filled with orientation activities.

Programs about living away from home, state laws and university regulations about alcohol and drugs, and the top 10 mistakes students make were interspersed with a new student convocation lunch, a softball game with faculty members, and other fun activities. Campus organizations and offices had opportunities to present information to students. One of the most popular events was the breakfast and bingo program held in Reisner Dining Hall for more than 1,000 students complete with drawings and prizes. Free books for the fall semester was this year’s grand prize.

Orientation was filled with fun activities too, like rock wall climbing, mechanical bull riding, and “bouncing” - similar to bungee jumping.