Loyalist College kicks off the Fall 2024 Semester at Orientation

What does it take to feel at home in a new place? This week, as Loyalist College welcomed students, faculty and staff for the 2024 Fall Semester, the answer was clear: it’s the sense of belonging that comes from supportive faculty, meaningful connections with peers, and an array of Orientation events designed to help students find their place at college. 

“Orientation sets the tone for the year ahead,” explains Loyalist College President and CEO Mark Kirkpatrick. “It’s our students’ first impression of what makes Loyalist unique – we’ve created a learning environment inside and outside the classroom where students of all ages and backgrounds feel seen, included, and challenged to grow.”

For many students, this sense of community begins with moving into residence. At Indigenous Orientation on Aug. 31, Loyalist’s Tsi Titewaya’taró:roks Indigenous Centre staff connected with new and returning Indigenous students, welcoming them on campus with a barbecue, fire and smudging. The same inviting atmosphere was felt at Loyalist’s Port Hope campus, as students turned dorm rooms into personalized living spaces, marking the official start of their college experience. On Sept. 1 at Residence Move-in Day in Belleville, varsity athletes gathered to welcome students moving into residence by carrying belongings and offering words of encouragement during an exciting and emotional day. At every turn, staff were there to provide support and reassurance, easing students’ transition to their new home-away-from-home.  

By Sept. 3, students at all Loyalist locations were fully immersed in college life, ready to begin their learning journey at Academic Orientation. Faculty members walked students through their programs, highlighting the state-of-the-art facilities, hands-on experiences and applied projects that will help them build the skills needed to advance their career goals.

Between exploring campus, preparing for class, or bonding with peers in the line for the signature red Loyalist hoodies, students enjoyed a range of events and information sessions. Festivities began with “Shark Watch,” a beach-themed event featuring a foam party, sandcastle building, live music, and free barbecue lunch. On Sept. 5, a Cultural Showcase celebrated the cultural diversity within the college community, featuring booths, snacks and special performances inspired by traditions from around the world. In the evenings, themed pub nights allowed students to unwind after their first week of classes. At Loyalist College in Toronto, students were welcomed back to campus with team building activities, games and information sessions.

Throughout the week, student leaders, including student government members and Loyalist Life Ambassadors (LLAs), played a crucial role in creating a warm and inclusive environment for new students. “Our outstanding student leaders are highly visible and deeply engaged,” says Sandra Dupret, Senior Vice-President, Students. “They show up, lead by example, and become familiar, friendly faces for new students.”

“There are so many events and leadership opportunities to experience the joy of post-secondary education and create everlasting memories and friendships,” adds Loyalist College Student Government President Mustafa Alali. “I encourage students to challenge themselves by expanding their comfort zone to reach their full potential. We want them to know that they have us to count on, and we’ll be with them every step of the way.”

Tonight, the college will celebrate the beginning of the athletic season at the annual Friday Night Lights event. Loyalist students from Port Hope and Toronto will join students at the Belleville campus in cheering on the Loyalist Lancers Women’s Soccer team as they face off against the George Brown Huskies, with fireworks to cap off the event at dusk.

Learn more about Orientation at Loyalist College.

About Loyalist College 
Loyalist College is built upon the lands governed by the Dish with One Spoon wampum agreement. We affirm and thank the Haudenosaunee, Anishinaabeg and Huron-Wendat nations for their continued caretaking of the land. At Loyalist, we empower our students with wraparound support services and hands-on training to succeed on any path they choose. Our academic programs are responsive and innovative, designed to solve pressing social and economic challenges and meet the evolving needs of our regional industry and community partners. Our graduates enter the workforce equipped with the knowledge they need to be better global citizens, and with future-focused skills to lead change in their fields. With a presence in Belleville, Bancroft, Port Hope, Tyendinaga and Toronto, we believe our institutional responsibility extends beyond the classroom to seeing the big picture for the communities we serve. Our expertise in applied research and deep connections to local industry support economic development, to the benefit of businesses, entrepreneurs, changemakers and innovators. Our commitment to decolonization, and the pursuit of a more inclusive, equitable world, means we hold ourselves accountable to the diverse perspectives, cultures and experiences that shape our communities. 

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Contact: 
Hannah Brown
Director of Marketing and Communications
hbrown@loyalistcollege.com