August 16, 2005

Freshmen to be welcomed aboard at Crossing the Tracks

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Incoming Purdue University freshmen will gather on campus for food and fun during Crossing the Tracks, a new event that student government and alumni leaders hope to make an annual tradition.

The event, sponsored by Purdue Student Government with support from the Purdue Alumni Association, will take place from 5-8 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 21. Participants will meet at the steps of Hovde Hall for a brief welcome ceremony, then proceed to the Memorial Mall for food and a chance to mingle with other students and faculty and staff.

Katrina Olek, Purdue Student Government chief of staff and event co-organizer, said the purpose of Crossing the Tracks is to give freshmen one last welcome the day before classes begin.

"We thought there was a lull between Boiler Gold Rush and the start of classes," Olek said. "The idea is to have an opportunity for new students to be officially welcomed the Sunday evening before classes. This is a neat opportunity to let them know we're excited that they came to Purdue."

Boiler Gold Rush, the annual orientation program for freshmen, will take place Aug. 13-18, and more than 4,800 students are expected to attend. Olek said Crossing the Tracks organizers hope to attract many of those freshmen.

Olek said about 250 Purdue faculty and staff from all areas of the university are scheduled to attend the event. They will be on hand to serve food, answer questions and get to know some of the new students. Also, leaders of Purdue student government and the alumni association will address the freshmen.

Todd Coleman, executive director of the Purdue Alumni Association, said Crossing the Tracks will help students feel at home in the Purdue community.

"It's an opportunity to build a new tradition on campus – to rekindle old memories and create new ones," Coleman said. "We want students to "cross over the tracks" to symbolize their entrance into the campus community and the beginning of their lifelong relationship with Purdue. We're excited to be a part of it."

Crossing the Tracks is free and open to all new students.

Writer: Kim Medaris, (765) 494-6998, kmedaris@purdue.edu

Sources: Katrina Olek, (765) 494-7201, kolek@purdue.edu

Todd Coleman, (765) 494-5179, toddcoleman@purdue.edu

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu

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