Earlier this month was Discover Puget Sound here on campus, and it was quite an event! Students interested in the school came to explore the campus and learn a bit about us. I joined some 250+ prospective students and their families for a delicious breakfast buffet featuring breakfast quesadillas (that’s right, breakfast. quesadillas.), a campus tour, and an address from our very own President Ron Thomas so I could take some pictures and show you what you missed if you were unable to attend!
Registration on its own was an event, the SUB flooded with eager students and families and the piano lounge was all abuzz with anticipation (for me, it was anticipation of those breakfast quesadillas!!!). I remember quite clearly my own first visit to campus and the mix of nervousness and excitement that went with it. It may feel like you’re the only one with a thousand and one questions concerning college and all that goes with it, but I promise, you’re not! Every single Logger in the Student Union Building that day could tell you the same. Seeing all the prospective students getting checked in and ready to attend this Discover Puget Sound day confirmed that it was sure to be a good one.
Admission counselor Andy Marshall giving some info at check-in!
Next it was up to Upper Marshall Hall for breakfast and mingling. Did I mention there were breakfast quesadillas??
Upper Marshall Hall was packed!
Next, the group made its way to Schneebeck Concert Hall for a word from the President, lovingly referred to by students as “Ron Thom,” and a lovely performance from Puget Sound’s a cappella group, What She Said.
What She Said performing
Ron Thom and James Miller, director of Admission
While my stomach was most pleased with the breakfast buffet, I do have to say that I was particularly interested in President Ron’s speech. Having called this campus home for going on four years now (senior year, yikes!), hearing what he had to say to prospective students was really something. It wasn’t necessarily what one would expect; while there was some plugging the school as a potential home for all the students present, what was really interesting is the importance he placed on it being the students’ choice. Yes, Puget Sound could be your home. But in reality, it could also not be. Ron provided a lot of perspective by reminding the students just what makes a “good” college, and what kind of students typically find their home here at Puget Sound. I found myself moved by this because I absolutely remember the uncertainty and anxiety surrounding the big college decision, and I am so thankful and happy to have found my home here. Had I been able to hear Ron’s speech when I was visiting schools, I know it would have relieved a great amount of the stress. It wasn’t fluffy, it wasn’t frivolous; Ron did a great job giving a realistic expectation of what this school is and what it stands for with just the right amount of touching home talk.
Ron Thom and James applauding What She Said while the crowd is mid standing ovation!
All in all, the day was an absolute success! Following these events, there were many prospective students in my classes, all the way from computer science to art history. (And while I made my lazy senior way to class, I made sure to give directions to the near-panicked prospective students who just had no idea where Thompson Hall was, assuring them that it was okay if they were a few minutes late, like me. [Shame on me.])
And that’s what you missed at this Discover Puget Sound day 2015! If you’re a prospective student hoping to gain some perspective on whether Puget Sound could be right for you, I highly encourage attending the next DPS day. Until then!