News Archives - 2007

Augsburg will officially welcome all new students in July during three sessions of SOAR Summer Orientation.

With the mission of creating a seamless and successful academic and social transition into the Augsburg community, each SOAR orientation session lasts roughly 24 hours (staying overnight on campus is required) and focuses on both the academic and social aspects of college life.

"The excitement that new students envision college life to offer including studying, late nights, and friends, is presented in our orientation program. SOAR marks the beginning of a very exciting and sometimes scary journey of discovery. After finishing SOAR, incoming students will be proud to call themselves an Auggie!" says Ramon Knox, Director of Campus Activities and Orientation.

Orientation Leaders (known as OLs) serve as peer mentors for new students. OLs are returning students who go through an application and selection process and extensive training. They are often the first relationship a new student forms on campus.

"For me, the greatest part about being an OL is seeing the students I’ve mentored grow into successful Auggies who are making a mark on the world," reports OL Leah Jarvi.

New students spend a large portion of the orientation session in small group activities. These small groups transition into the AugSem class that all first-year students take to help with the transition into life as an Auggie.

The unity of curricular and co-curricular marks the signature transitional program AugSem. Established on the principle that greater support and connection increases a student's likelihood of success, AugSem supports both the academic and social transitions students will experience, utilizing faculty, returning students, and staff as facilitators.

SOAR Summer Orientation sessions will run from July 18 – 21. For more information contact Ramon Knox at knoxr@augsburg.edu or the Campus Orientation office at 330-1100, orientat@agusburg.edu or visit www.augsburg.edu/orientation.