Fall Welcome: What's the buzz on ASU's campuses?

August 17, 2015

As Arizona State University gears up for the start of classes this week, our reporters are spotlighting scenes around its campuses. Take a look at what's been going on during ASU Fall Welcome.

Changemaker Central Day of Service Trash-chute drama and pizza freedom: Freshmen share new experiences Download Full Image

More than 11,000 freshmen started their ASU journey this week, and they’ve been getting a lot of advice: Connect with mentors! Try new things! Five freshmen on the Downtown Phoenix campus share experiences they never had before coming to ASU.

Changemaker Central Day of Service Students make a change on Polytechnic campus, in their lives

Albert Giovanazzi could have slept in Wednesday morning, but the ASU freshman wanted to make a difference. His goal was achieved by helping the Changemakers clean up part of the Polytechnic campus.

Sun Devil Welcome event Sun Devil Welcome a raucous start to new year

New Sun Devils received an official welcome Tuesday in a raucous celebration in Wells Fargo Arena. Among the speakers: President Michael M. Crow who told students that there is nothing standing in their way from graduating from ASU.

Cronkite Village orientation Cronkite Village gives journalism freshmen sense of community

Incoming journalism students play welcome games – including trivia about ASU – and get to know each other as part of their orientation to the Cronkite Village, one of 32 residential colleges across the four campuses in which students live and learn together.

New College traditional handprint collage Peer mentors help New College freshmen find their feet

At the start of each fall semester, peer mentors from the New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences on ASU's West campus help freshmen know what to do if faced with an unfamiliar situation. Here, mentors share their tips for newcomers.

Air-traffic-control software installation New technology provides clear landing for ASU Polytechnic students

The final installation of new air-traffic-control simulation technology was being overseen Tuesday on ASU's Polytechnic campus. The system ("so cutting-edge that it’s bleeding edge") will help prepare students for a rewarding but highly competitive field.

SDFC West campus student workers West campus fitness complex ready for incoming students

Despite the present stillness at ASU's West campus Sun Devil Fitness Complex, Casey Monroe knows what is coming: a barrage of energetic students ready to dive headfirst into another semester.

Criminology students play Clue Criminology students get a 'Clue' on how to succeed

Freshmen entering ASU's School of Criminology and Criminal Justice in downtown Phoenix spent their first day playing a life-size version of the popular board game "Clue," which helped them build relationships that will be key to their success.

Sparky dancing Polytechnic campus students dance through move-in

The Polytechnic campus has all sorts of fun things, including students who break into dance while helping freshmen move into the dorms. Volunteer Megan Lymer says of the campus: “We all get along, and we know where to go if we need anything. It’s fun.”

Stoney family Start of college a rite of passage for parents, too

From stocking up at the bookstore to imparting words of advice, three families share their impressions of moving their new Sun Devil into college this week — and whether they will worry about them when they're gone.

Camp Solera welcomes freshmen to West campus

Camp Solera is a three-day experience for freshmen at ASU's West campus, designed to build class unity, introduce the incoming students to campus resources and give the newest members of the Sun Devil family a sneak peek into ASU traditions.

Lisa Robbins

Assistant Director, Media Relations and Strategic Communications

480-965-9370 lisarobbins@asu.edu

Polytechnic campus students dance through move-in

ASU's Polytechnic campus has all sorts of fun things, including students who break into dance while helping freshmen move into the dorms.

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Polytechnic campus students dance through move-in

August 17, 2015

Editor's note: As ASU gears up for the start of classes this week, our reporters are spotlighting scenes around its campuses. To read more, click here.

Arizona State University’s Polytechnic campus has a 3-D printing lab, flight simulators and people who study the ability of algae to power society. Sparky dancing with students Elizabeth Raney from San Tan Valley, Arizona, is an 18-year-old freshman who will be studying education on the Polytechnic campus. Download Full Image

It also has an official dance called “The Whip,” which involves pushing a closed fist forward and swerving your body as you bring it back.

“It’s the Cha Cha Slide of our generation,” laughed Paige Berringer, a 20-year-old ASU student referencing the early 2000s dance craze. “It’s a regular thing here on Poly.”

Berringer broke into the dance, originated by teen pop singer Stilento, with Megan Lymer while the two were representing the residential hall association table at the registration inside the Cooley Ballroom.

The duo even coaxed Sparky into the action, teaching the Sun Devil mascot the dance’s finer points.

“We have more of a sense of community here,” Lymer said of the Polytechnic campus. “We all get along and we know where to go if we need anything. It’s fun.”

The ASU Polytechnic campus will welcome 600 new freshman and move in approximately 1,300 students by this Thursday. Naturally, the campus still retains a down-home feel.

Maroon and gold balloons tied to sandwich boards sit on almost every corner, which are manned by staff members and volunteers who wave at every passing vehicle and personally greet pedestrians. That friendliness goes a long way for 18-year-old freshman Elizabeth Raney, who admits to being shy and reserved.

“I’m not a party student,” said Raney, who graduated from San Tan Valley’s Poston Butte High School. “I’m looking forward to learning the skills to do what I want, which is teaching. I’m also looking forward to a little independence.”

Raney was accompanied by her mother, Ange, and her 14-year-old sister, Sarah. Ange said that she hoped the Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College would help her daughter fulfill her dream of teaching kids with disabilities, but hinted that finding the freshman some new friends might not hurt.

“I would like to see her make some friends and participate,” Ange said. “She doesn’t need to befriend everybody on campus, but a tight-knit group would be nice.”

Maybe she’ll even learn The Whip.