June 24, 2005
Boiler Gold Rush helps new students mine friendships, navigate campus
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Boiler Gold Rush, a weeklong orientation program for incoming freshmen at Purdue University, will fill new students' schedules with fun and informative activities designed to make the transition to college life easier.
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Sponsored by the Office of Orientation and New Student Programs in cooperation with University Residences, Boiler Gold Rush will take place Aug. 13-18, the week before fall semester classes begin.
Registration for the program is due by July 8. Approximately 4,700 students are expected to participate. The orientation fee, which covers most meals and program expenses, is $245.
The program will familiarize new students and their parents with the campus and Purdue traditions. Along with comedy shows, concerts and other recreational activities, presentations will stress campus safety, cultural diversity and healthy lifestyle choices.
Parents will have the opportunity to attend one of two family orientation sessions from 3:30-5 p.m. Aug. 13 and Aug. 14 in the Elliott Hall of Music. Orientation and New Student Programs staff will perform a skit about college transitional issues. A panel of office representatives also will discuss their services and answer questions. "The Parents Handbook," which is distributed during each Day on Campus, will be reviewed.
Motivational speaker Kevin Wanzer will introduce his formula for a great Purdue experience at 9:45 p.m. on Aug. 14 during opening ceremonies for Boiler Gold Rush. First-year students also will be introduced to Purdue athletics during Boilermaker Basics: An Up-Close Look at Purdue Athletics, which will take place at 9:45 a.m. Aug. 15 at the Slayter Center for the Performing Arts. Purdue athletes, cheerleaders and the "All-American" Marching Band will be featured.
Other Boiler Gold Rush highlights include Unionfest in the Purdue Memorial Union and Late Night at the Recreational Sports Center from 8 p.m. to midnight on Aug. 15 and Aug. 16. Also on Aug. 15, a presentation entitled "Happy Hour with Bernie McGrenahan" will address issues dealing with alcohol. The session begins at 1:50 p.m. in Elliott Hall.
Purdue President Martin C. Jischke will greet students at 1:30 p.m. Aug. 16 in Elliot Hall, followed by a discussion of issues related to diversity and social responsibility. The presentation will feature Mosaics, a professional acting troupe from Chicago.
A Meet the Schools picnic and resource fair will take place on the Memorial Mall at noon on Aug. 17. The event will give students a chance to interact with approximately 150 school advisers, faculty and staff while enjoying a free lunch from Papa John's Pizza and Snow Bear Custard. The University Resource Fair also will take place in the Purdue Memorial Union South Ballroom at that time.
At 9:30 p.m. on Aug. 17, comedian Buzz Sutherland will perform at Elliott Hall. Boiler Gold Rush will conclude Aug. 18 with a concert at 8 p.m. featuring Bottle of Justus at the Slayter Hill Amphitheater. The event also will feature a live broadcast by top-40 radio station B-102.9.
A complete listing of the Boiler Gold Rush schedule is available online. Registration forms also can be downloaded from the site.
Patti Dulik, director of orientation and new student programs, said participation in Boiler Gold Rush provides new students with the tools they need to begin their academic careers with confidence.
"Studies show that students who attend their freshman orientation program and get involved on campus are more likely to succeed during their first year of college and are far less likely to drop out," Dulik said. "That's why we strongly encourage all first-year students to attend Boiler Gold Rush. Incoming freshmen will not only become more familiar with campus and the Purdue community, but they also will meet many other students who are new, too."
Dulik said many lifelong friendships have blossomed at Boiler Gold Rush.
"Several upper-class students who attended Boiler Gold Rush have told me that they met their best friend there," Dulik said. "Making memories at Boiler Gold Rush is a great way to begin your college experience."
Boiler Golf Rush staff are available to answer questions during business hours at (765) 494-9328.
Writer: Marydell Forbes (765) 496-7704, mforbes@purdue.edu
Source: Patti Dulik, (765) 496-6460, pfdulik@purdue.edu
Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu
PHOTO CAPTION:
The Purdue Dance Team pumped up a crowd of new students at the Slayter Hill Amphitheater last summer during Boiler Gold Rush, a weeklong orientation program designed to make the transition to college life easier. Boiler Gold Rush 2005, which will take place Aug. 13-18, is expected to draw 4,700 students. During the week, students and their parents will familiarize themselves with campus and Purdue traditions. Along with comedy shows, concerts and other recreational activities, presentations will stress campus safety, cultural diversity and healthy lifestyle choices. (File photo courtesy of Boiler Gold Rush.)
A publication-quality file photo is available at https://www.purdue.edu/uns/images/+2005/boilergoldrush-adv.jpg
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