If it wasn’t evident from the exciting chaos of move-in day, hordes of small groups on Edwards Parade or echoing cheers of upperclassmen, New Student Orientation was in full swing last week. In a true display of school spirit, 250 student volunteers cut their summers short to prepare and lead the effort of welcoming the class of 2029. Despite the early mornings packed with training sessions and the task of moving in hundreds of first-years, many orientation leaders, including myself, will attest that orientation is the best week of the year.
Going into my third year of orientation, I considered myself intimately familiar with the program’s inner workings. Training groups are broken into 25 groups of 10, each consisting of two captains, to help facilitate training on a more personal level. Four student worker orientation coordinators lead the training and serve as the backbone of the operation. Within each training group, partner pairs are created that will lead a small group of first-year students together, forming bonds that will outlast orientation itself.
Each team competes for points that can be acquired in various ways to make the process more lively. So while the day’s majority was filled with presentations from the Office of Multicultural Affairs, Information and Technology, Campus Ministry, the Office of Prevention and Support and more, activities were sandwiched to strengthen team bonding and keep energy high. Points could be acquired from winning a dance battle, donating non-perishable goods to Part of the Solution (POTS) or hitting as many spots as possible during the campus-wide scavenger hunt. Additionally, each training day brought an exciting night event, such as a murder mystery dinner at Enzo’s, partner prom, Olympics and trivia. Each activity created an atmosphere of unity and anticipation that strengthened the orientation team, truly exciting us to welcome the class of 2029.
A new and highly-anticipated change to the program was introduced in the “One Fordham” initiative, which was aimed at uniting Rose Hill and Lincoln Center. During a day of joint training, Rose Hill leaders traveled downtown to hear an address from President Tania Tetlow, where she emphasized the university’s goal of building a more unified Fordham University community. To execute this, Rose Hill’s first-years and orientation leaders would travel to Lincoln Center on the last day of Orientation for a welcome party at the Plaza. Though there was an air of uncertainty with the adjustment, we remained steadfast in ensuring that the President’s Office and the Office for Student Involvement would execute the mission successfully.
After a week of training, it was finally time to use our newfound Fordham knowledge, school spirit and strong teamwork. On Aug. 24, at 6 a.m., the orientation team excitedly gathered at the cafeteria before moving new students in. As a program veteran, I and one other student were assigned as building captains to Alumni Court South. Together, we managed the 30 Orientation Leaders, helping the new students move in, ensuring each student had a warm and loud Fordham welcome to begin their year. Though an exhausting day, move-in will always be a cornerstone of the program, with leaders competing to move the most minifridges, various sports teams coming in to assist and a palpable presence of being a Fordham family.
After moving in, the program ran seamlessly. From countless small groups of first-years moderated by their orientation leaders, to assisting in Campus Ministry’s Welcome Mass or enjoying the Office of Multicultural Affairs’ New Queer Student reception, the show of orientation leader support was constant and unwavering. Never was this energy higher than at ‘the clap out,’ when the entirety of the orientation team gathered outside the Moglia Stadium to cheer on the new students as they began their Fordham journey.
The final event of this year’s orientation was the newly announced One Fordham Welcome Party at Lincoln Center, which unquestionably cemented this year’s program as the most fun. Students were given travel assignments by coach bus, Metro-North, subway or Ram Van. At 5:15 p.m., after ensuring students were boarded onto their assigned bus, we headed for Manhattan. Upon arrival, we were greeted with cheers from Lincoln Center leaders, great food, drag bingo and a silent disco, which was my favorite. Though many of us were uncertain about the decision, this event was the most memorable and one I hope is included in the program for years to come.
Orientation has always been my favorite facet of my student involvement, as in no other organization is a love for Fordham so evident. With this being my last time volunteering, it was hard to ignore the bittersweet energy that followed each event; yes, this was one of my favorite years, but it was also my last. Nevertheless, I am forever grateful to New Student Orientation for welcoming me in my first year and giving me a true Fordham family for the next three. So in the spring, when the Orientation application drops, consider applying. In the meantime, take a moment to savor the lingering energy on campus, and of course, continue to welcome the class of 2029 warmly!
Ella Koczko, FCRH ‘26, is a history major in the American Catholic Studies from Long Island, New York.
