Freshmen, seniors reflect on first, last Welcome Weekend
As students come back to Central Michigan University for another year of learning and socializing, freshmen and seniors reflected on their first weekend in Mount Pleasant of the school year.
Chesaning senior Tyler Dangel, who transferred to CMU from Delta College, said his first CMU welcome week experience was fun, yet a bit intimidating.
"I didn't expect there to be that many people, or that large of a police presence either," Dangel said.
He moved into a house on Main Street, living with eight other people, when he transferred in 2011. He said the experience helped shape his first CMU Welcome Weekend and future Welcome Weekends, too.
"I met a lot of people during welcome weekend that I still communicate with. Everyone is so happy and in such a good mood, they're willing to talk with anyone and you never know who you can meet and develop a friendship with just by being friendly," Dangel said.
Some freshmen have an entirely different experience with Welcome Weekend.
Freeland freshman Kevin Morris said during his first night of Welcome Weekend he walked down Main Street but said it wasn't for him.
"Personally for me, it's not my cup of tea," Morris said.
Bay City freshman Austin Swiercz said he spent his first night of Welcome Weekend people watching late at night outside his Barnes Hall residence hall.
"I saw a bunch of people coming back from Main Street," he said. "People coming back from having a good time."
Swiercz said he saw some interesting characters, both real and not.
"One guy was carrying a plank doll like Plank from (cartoon show) Ed, Edd and Eddy," he said.
Reed City senior Brett Schuelke reflected on some of the more adventurous Welcome Weekends he has been apart of and says he will miss its spontaneous nature.
"The thing I'll miss the most is the general craziness of Welcome Weekend," Schuelke said. "Whenever somebody tells you a story about something crazy that happened during Welcome Weekend, you kind of just shake your head and say, 'Yup, that's Welcome Weekend,' or, 'Only during Welcome Weekend."
