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| President J. Michael Ortiz welcomes new students during BroncoFusion on Sept. 24. |
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| Priscila Mendez and Dein Deip try to pop a balloon together during a mixer at BroncoFusion, an introduction to campus life for new students. |
Cal Poly Pomona welcomed more than 1,000 new students to campus on Sept. 24 at BroncoFusion, a daylong orientation that included workshops, campus tours, open houses and entertainment.
Hosted by the Office of the President, the divisions of Student Affairs, Academic Affairs, Administrative Affairs, Instructional & Information Technology and Associated Students Inc. (ASI), the inaugural event was held in the Bronco Student Center and University Park.
“It was exciting to see the whole campus community come together to provide this kind of welcome event for our new students,” says Jennifer Schufer, who co-chaired BroncoFusion with Rebecca Gutierrez Keeton. ?In the eight years I have been at Cal Poly Pomona, I have never felt such energy and excitement at the start of an academic year.”
Incoming students learned about key academic support services, bought books and explored ways to get involved. Many attended workshops that covered such topics as ?All About Advising,? ?How to Navigate the Campus,? ?Survival Skills for Commuter Students? and ?Academic Success Through Time and Stress Management.? The day?s events also included a welcome mixer, club and support services fair, and barbecue dinner that allowed students to connect with faculty, staff and other students.
University President J. Michael Ortiz welcomed the students and pledged the support of the institution toward their retention, academic success and graduation.
?You will not find another campus in the country where the faculty and staff are more dedicated to your success than at Cal Poly Pomona,? he said. ?I want you to know that you, first and foremost, are the most important thing on this campus. You?re the reason we?re here.?
Ortiz also encouraged students to get involved in university life.
?You must be an active member of the community,? he said. ?Get to know your faculty after class, attend athletic events and join clubs.?
BroncoFusion culminated with a live evening concert by hip-hop recording artist Common of MCA Records. More than 3,000 new and returning students attended the free performance sponsored by ASI.
?Cal Poly Pomona did its very best to contribute to new student success,? said Gary Fredericksen, interim vice president for Student Affairs. ?We are appreciative of the entire campus community, and especially our continuing students, for volunteering their time to help out with this important program. We will be doing this again next year, without a doubt.?