From kayaking on the Hudson to the iconic Wittpenn Walk, more than 100 orientation activities helped the newest Ducks connect, explore and find their place at Stevens
Last month, Stevens Institute of Technology welcomed the Class of 2030 to the roster of Stevens Ducks.
Before classes began, new students spent a week getting to know their new campus, their classmates, their city and the many opportunities awaiting them at Stevens. Facilitated by the Division of Student Affairs, orientation featured more than 100 programs and events designed to help students make connections, discover new interests and begin finding their place in the Stevens community.
For many students, the welcome began before they even arrived on campus. Airport pickups helped international students make their way to Hoboken, while two carefully orchestrated move-in days with hundreds of volunteers on hand to welcome students and their families and help them settle into their new home on Castle Point.
Special orientation activities gave first-generation, commuter, and transfer students additional opportunities to connect and acclimate, while a range of pre-orientation programs offered students the chance to ease into college life in smaller groups while exploring local neighborhoods, tasting the food in New York City, experiencing the performing arts, or enjoying nature.
A Week of Possibilities
During his welcome to the Class of 2030, Stevens President Nariman Farvardin encouraged students to approach their college experience with curiosity, courage and an openness to the unexpected.
“As you begin this journey, keep this advice close to your heart: Question what you think you know. Step boldly outside your comfort zone. Pursue paths that others might call unconventional — and embrace the unexpected. As you’ll hear repeatedly in the years ahead, the future is yours to create. This is your opportunity to explore the endless possibilities that await you.”
Those possibilities were on full display throughout orientation week, where students had countless opportunities to connect with one another and begin exploring their new surroundings. From roller skating on the patio overlooking the New York City skyline, meeting new classmates at Play Fair, discovering clubs and resources at the Flock Party, to cooling off at an ice cream social or taking part in karaoke, students were able to participate in a flurry of activities designed to create meaningful connections.
Other activities offered a first look at the many academic and co-curricular opportunities available at Stevens, including information sessions on study abroad opportunities, academic and mental health support services, and Greek life. Students could also take guided tours of Hoboken and New York City and even take to the Hudson River for kayaking.
Undergraduate peer leaders guided new students throughout orientation — including, of course, teaching the infamous Duck Dance to the newest members of the community being an important charge.
The Wittpenn Walk — A Right of Passage
The week culminated with the annual Wittpenn Walk, a beloved Stevens tradition that bookends the undergraduate experience. Each year, first-year students walk up Wittpenn Walk as they proceed to New Undergraduate Student Convocation, while graduating seniors make the reverse journey down the same path on their final day of classes. Together, the two walks symbolize the beginning and end of an undergraduate student's Stevens journey.
A Formal Welcome at Convocation
During New Undergraduate Student Convocation, students were treated to inspiring talks from members of the community, including Hoboken Mayor Emily Jabbour.
Jabbour highlighted the longstanding partnership between Stevens and Hoboken, celebrating the ways Stevens students, faculty and staff contribute to the Hoboken community. She encouraged students to venture beyond campus, explore their new hometown and become active members of the community. “Stevens and Hoboken have grown together for generations,” she said.
“Stevens brings something really special to this city — innovation,” continued Jabbour. “This is a place where people like you are constantly asking questions, solving problems, building things, starting companies, conducting research, and imagining what could make our community better. And Hoboken is a great place for that kind of thinking.”
Now, with classes officially underway, the newest Ducks have begun settling into their new home and are discovering the academic, co-curricular and social experiences that await them at Stevens.
Class of 2030 Orientation
