Friday, August 30, 2013

New Verrazano Students On Campus

The start of a new academic year brings new faces to campus and to the Verrazano Honors Program.  Over 100 new students, including freshmen as well as internal and external transfer students, were welcomed to the program over the summer.

The Verrazano Transfer Orientation was held on the first Thursday of the semester, and it offered the opportunity for students new to the program to meet Professor Charles Liu, the Verrazano Director, and get acclimated to the opportunities and responsibilities associated with being a Verrazano student.  Verrazano upperclassmen greeted the new students and shared their experiences and advice, and students participated in activities that helped them connect with one another.  Dr. Stephen Ferst, the new Executive Director of the Center for International Service, encouraged students to make study abroad a reality and offered the support of the Center for International Service as students make plans to incorporate an academic international experience into their course of study.  It was a great afternoon, and we look forward to working with these new students over the next few years.


New students in the Verrazano Classes of 2015 and 2016.


Professor Charles Liu addressing new Verrazano students in August.
 
In addition, the Verrazano Freshman Orientation was held at the end of June.  The day included greetings from college administrators, Verrazano student speakers, introductions to the Career and Scholarship Center and the Center for International Service, and an introduction to various resources available on campus.  We're thrilled that over half of the incoming class has expressed an interest in study abroad!  The highlight of the Verrazano Freshman Orientation was the teambuilding session run by Project U.S.E. of New Jersey.  Facilitators guided freshmen through challenging and engaging activities and debriefed with the students about how to apply what they learned as they navigate the next four years.  We're pleased to welcome this new freshman class to The Verrazano School Honors Program and we wish them a successful first semester!


Verrazano Class of 2017

Verrazano Volunteers: Vincent DeSouza, Alex Hsu, and Christine Huynh




 
Orientation Leaders

The CSI shuttle bus, featuring Professor Charles Liu - the Verrazano Director!