Students, parents and alumni mingle at Chapman Welcome Reception parties

Between Memorial Day weekend and the second week in August,
Chapman Fund
director Kimberley Greenhall and her team become the ultimate Panther party planners. Consider their schedule: 30-plus
Summer Welcome Reception
parties in more than 10 states to officially greet and connect new Chapman University students.

“It definitely made me even more excited to head down to Orange this fall — if that was even possible — and put my mom at ease, which is quite the accomplishment,” said incoming freshman Taylor Killefer ’19. “It was truly an incredible experience, and the reception made my mother and I feel welcomed into the Chapman Family.”


More than just a nice night to meet and greet, the receptions provide opportunities for parents to ask questions and students to make new friends. For all the excitement that coming to a university can merit, it’s common for  new students to get nervous about not knowing anyone.

“It gives students an opportunity to meet with each other,” Greenhall said. “That way, they don’t come here and feel alone.”

Hooray for the hosts

Every summer the Chapman Fund team flies around the country to set up welcome parties in each region where there are 20 or more incoming students, such as Dallas, Portland, Philadelphia, San Francisco and New York .

The first step is to find Chapman parents, past or present, who will open up their house to host a welcome party.

Andrea Victor,  mother of Ciara Victor ’18, is one of those parents. After having had to miss her daughter’s own Panther Welcome Reception, she wanted to find a way to help out.

Victor admits she was a little daunted at first at the prospect of hosting. But, after seeing the results in action, she says she’ll be glad to do it again.

“I do think that for incoming students it was really nice for them to talk with alumni and other students from the school,” Victor said. “They get to ask questions that they can’t get answered on the website.”

Would she do it again?

“Absolutely – I’m always looking for a way to help out and we’ve had such a great experience with Chapman that I’m glad to do it,” Victor said.

Next step: Send out invitations to all the incoming students in the area and extend that invitation to alumni and Chapman ambassadors. The final step is to open the doors and start welcoming.

Greenhall said the parties are a little bit mingle, a little bit Q&A.  About midway through the evening there’s a chance for staff, current or former Chapman parents and alumni to talk about Chapman University, as well as offer advice.

Parents matter, too

Every now and then, Mom and Dad need a little help adjusting to college, too. That’s where Greenhall’s team also comes in. With a student in college, parents can’t call a professor or the school to inquire about their Panther’s progress – that responsibility lies with the student. At these welcome parties,
parents and families
have a low-key arena in which to ask questions about move-in dates and materials, transportation and how to think ahead for the oncoming years of new responsibilities.

Top parent questions

Q: Will my child need a car, bike or other means of transportation?

A: That depends on the student’s circumstances. Chapman provides free campus shuttles, and Zip-cars are available to rent for local needs. Cars and bikes are welcome; just follow the rules.

Q: What do we need to know about moving into the residence halls? What size sheets does my student need? Who provides toilet paper?

 

A: Move-in day, Aug. 25, is important.  Bring extra-long twin sheets, and yes, bring your own toilet paper. More answers are here.

Q: What are the best local airports and hotels for visits?

A: John Wayne Airport, Orange County (SNA) is the closest airport. There are plenty of lodging options near campus.

Q: Are there airport shuttles before holiday breaks?

A: Chapman provides shuttles to various airports.

Q: Will my student need a coat?

A: Despite Southern California’s mild climate, your student will need a coat. Ocean breezes can cool even summer evenings, and, believe it or not, there is occasional rain.

“Parents have questions … but we can’t always answer because of FERPA (regulations protecting students’ rights),” Greenhall said. “But we can act as sort of a mediator, offering advice, helping them out.”

Interestingly, the range of questions is seasonal. Greenhall notes that at spring and early-summer Welcome Receptions, questions focus on the exciting aspects of college: h
ousing
, getting around and supplies.

Late-summer questions are more nitty-gritty: insurance policies, financial aid and scheduling.

Ultimately, the main goal is two-fold: to excite the students and calm any nervous parents. Plus, students get their official Chapman sunglasses and photo ops. Nothing says welcome like a Panther welcome!

Pictured at top: Incoming freshmen don their Chapman sunglasses and mug for the camera at a recent Chapman University Welcome Reception.