Belleville, ON, Jan. 11, 2024 – The hallways of Loyalist College are alive with the energy and excitement that comes with a new semester. This week, as Loyalist launched the 2024 winter semester, students from across Canada and around the world arrived at Loyalist’s Belleville campus and were welcomed with a dynamic schedule of orientation social activities, academic sessions and sports events.
It was all smiles and anticipation on residence move-in day, as student volunteers and college staff helped new residents and their families unload their belongings, unpack, and decorate while getting acquainted with campus. The student life team and residence advisors were on hand to answer questions and facilitate a smooth transition to college life.
Greeting new students at winter-themed social events throughout the week, President and CEO Mark Kirkpatrick reflects on the monumental experience of starting college. “Whether students are joining us from our local communities, or embarking on a new chapter far from home, beginning post-secondary education and pursuing their career goals takes courage,” he says. “As our students start this transformative journey, we want them to know that they have a community here to support and encourage them every step of the way.”
Academic orientation provided a welcoming environment for students to connect with their program faculty, understand course expectations, and become familiar with Loyalist’s state-of-the-art learning spaces where they will be developing their skills throughout the semester.
Raven Chartrand, a third-year student in Loyalist’s Environmental Technology program and the college’s Student Government President, addressed new students at the Official Welcome event in the gymnasium.
“Orientation is such an exciting time,” says Raven. There are so many opportunities to meet new people and make lifelong connections. I’m most excited for the cultural showcase happening at the end of the week, it’s a place for everyone to share their culture and learn about one another. Amazing things happen when we connect.”
Orientation highlights include the college’s “Canada D’EH” event, which brought students out to enjoy classic Canadian winter favourites like skating, poutine, hot chocolate, s’mores. New students received the much-loved red Loyalist College hoodies to keep them warm as they gathered by the fire pits and laced their skates at the outdoor rink. The evening ended with an après ski-themed pub night, with students dressed in their best ski slope gear.
Wednesday, a Loyalist Lancers tailgate gathering beginning at 10 a.m. in the Shark Tank Pub rallied school spirit before the first home games of the season. Face painting, games and poster making set the stage for an evening of back-to-back Women’s and Men’s Basketball games.
Tomorrow, a cultural showcase will introduce students to the rich diversity of the Loyalist community, with interactive booths featuring cultural activities, student-led performances, and foods for everyone to experience.
“Orientation is a time filled with fun, learning, and most importantly, community,” adds Sandra Dupret, Senior Vice-President of Students. We’ve designed this week to ensure every learner can connect with both their peers and our incredible network of faculty and staff here to provide their support and expertise. The college is excited to celebrate and share our students’ cultures, ideas, and aspirations with the Loyalist community.”
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.
– 30 –
Contact:
Hannah Brown
Director of Marketing and Communications
613-921-0784
hbrown@loyalistcollege.com