OTTERBURNE, MB – Providence is getting ready for Welcome Week, which will begin on Sunday, September 5th, with the arrival of returning students on the Otterburne campus. The week will include a variety of activities such as campus tours, chapels, orientation, Prov Cup, Women’s and Men’s Soccer home opener games, fireside worship nights, and a welcome banquet.
This year, new students have been organized into groups according to their last names and will follow a staggered arrival on-campus from 12 pm to 3 pm on September 6th. To get everything started, all new students will make their way through “the funnel” where they’ll be led through registration, receive their residence keys, connect to Wi-Fi, and have their photos taken. Mask wearing and physical distancing will be required in all indoor spaces.
Parents or guardians are welcome, but we’re asking that other members of the family (i.e., siblings) stay at home to help with this year’s COVID-19 capacity limits. Parents will have the chance to participate in their own orientation session later in the afternoon on Monday and supper will be served for all, starting at 4:30 pm.
Our students will have their first chapel with our new President, Dr. Kenton Anderson, on Tuesday morning. The theme for this academic year is ‘Journeying Together’ which takes its inspiration from Psalm 119:105. Chapel will be followed by new and returning students taking part in academic orientation, supper, and Student Council (STUCO) games. The evening will wrap up with comic introductions and residence care group meetings.
Classes begin on Wednesday at 8:30 am, but Welcome Week activities will continue throughout the week. Watch for the commuters’ pizza party and ‘Meet Your Neighbour’ ice cream social. On Friday, we’ll be hosting a welcome banquet which is open to all students, staff, and faculty.
Everything will finish on Saturday with a barbeque at 5:00 pm and an evening of worship with Bold as Lions’ Karli and Sean Quigley. This is a free event and open to the community.
Welcome Week Committee Chair, Angelle Arinobu, says, “The committee is excited to welcome students back onto the Providence campus. While there will be a lineup of fun activities and excitement, our attention is on this year’s theme of ‘Journeying Together.’ We will have many more events centred on coming together in worship and preparing our hearts and our minds for the year’s journey that God has set before us.”
Students are encouraged to view the full schedule for Welcome Week here or on our Providence University College app that is available for free download from the App Store and Google Play.
