Each year, freshmen from all over the country and across the world converge on Abilene Christian University's campus for Welcome Week, five days of activities planned to help new students get to know each other and the ACU community. This year, ACU will bring its commitment to innovation into this annual tradition by incorporating the Apple iPhone 3GS and iPod touch into Welcome Week, allowing students to navigate the new school year with their mobile devices.
"These freshmen have everything they need at their fingertips with these devices," said Eric Gumm, director of orientation. "Having one of these in the hands of every incoming students allows us to facilitate more creative and innovative ways for students to interact with each other and with the community. It's just another way to help prepare them for a great first semester."
In addition to the usual activities, such as devotionals, service projects, games, intramural sports and the world's largest Twister game, freshmen will have the opportunity to use their new Apple devices to become more familiar with the ACU campus, connect to new friends through social networks and upload pictures and videos to the Internet.
One new way for students to make lasting memories at Welcome Week is to capture short videos during the week using their iPhones and submit them to ACU so they can be displayed throughout campus on the flat screen television circuit.
"We hope this will be an innovative and fun way for new students to engage in campus life and promote a vibrant community," said Haley Dilling, a recent graduate of ACU who developed the concept.
The week is not all games, however. Students are expected to give back to the Abilene community through an afternoon of service. This year, incoming freshmen will walk neighborhoods in Abilene, collecting non-perishable food donations for the Food Bank of Abilene, Thursday, Aug. 20, 1-4 p.m. Abilenians who want to contribute can also drop off donations with students at the United Supermarket locations on Buffalo Gap and Judge Ely Blvd.
To learn more about Welcome Week, visit the First-Year Program website or view the Welcome Week calendar.
If you are a member of the media who would like more information about this release, please contact ACU's Public Relations Office or call (325) 674-2696.
