Did You Know?: Purdue Welcome Center
January 30, 2014
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Purdue's Welcome Center is now located in Purdue Memorial Union, Room 110. It features a reception area, a conference area, an open lounge with a fireplace, digital wayfinding displays, and a center kiosk made up of several digital touch screens. (Purdue University photo/Mark Simons) |
The new location of Purdue's Welcome Center in Purdue Memorial Union offers a host of updated features and amenities to those looking to learn more about the West Lafayette campus.
The center is located in Room 110, just inside the Union's easternmost doors. It's a prime location since many visitors find themselves wandering into the Union from the adjacent Grant Street Parking Garage, says Mary King, senior director of customer relationship marketing.
Before January 2013, the former Visitor Information Center was in the Northwestern Avenue Parking Garage and shared a lobby with Parking Facilities.
"In our new location, we are literally a front door to the University," King says.
"As soon as visitors step foot in the Union -- which is often the first place they go on campus -- the staff at the Welcome Center can help introduce them to Purdue and all the great things happening here. Being here with our new amenities allows us to better assist guests and make a good first impression on them."
The Welcome Center consists of a reception area, a conference area, an open lounge with a fireplace, digital displays to help visitors locate campus buildings and amenities, and a large, colorful center kiosk made up of several digital touch screens.
The touch screens provide information about University events and introductions to some of Purdue's students through display of the 5 Students Who ... website. The screens also showcase the website for the Purdue Moves initiatives, so visitors can learn more about the University's plans for the future, King says.
The center's workers -- student ambassadors, interns, volunteers and two full-time staff members -- assist visitors on a one-on-one basis. They also provide a middle school visit program for about 2,500 students each year, and they give nearly 300 custom tours annually to non-student visitors; the Office of Admissions coordinates all prospective student tours.
In addition to in-person service, the center assists visitors on the phone and online through its website at www.purdue.edu/visit. In the Union's Great Hall, the center has a counter that is staffed primarily by Purdue retirees, who also help visitors with questions and direct them to their desired campus destinations, King says.
More information about the Welcome Center can be found on the website listed above.
Writer: Amanda Hamon, 49-61325, ahamon@purdue.edu