Gorillas settle into their home away from home

Welcome Week is in full swing at Pittsburg State University, and from one end of campus to the other, resources and activities are helping students feel at home.

For freshmen, transfer, and international students, the week provides support as they begin their college journey. Returning students also find plenty of opportunities to reconnect with friends, organizations, and campus life.

Early arrivers

Hundreds of student-athletes, members of the Pride of the Plains Marching Band, and residence hall assistants arrived last week to get a head start on the semester.

They bonded with teammates, directors, and peers through rehearsals, practices, and social events - from BBQs and ice-cold Tropical Sno runs to the tradition of being paired with "Bigs" and "Littles."

Meanwhile, students going through sorority recruitment experienced the excitement of Bid Day, kicking off lifelong friendships and leadership opportunities.

Move-In & Gorilla Warm-Up

Move-In Day at Pitt State is never a solo effort. On Friday and Saturday, football and basketball players, student organizations, university employees, and even incoming President Thomas Newsom rolled up their sleeves to help families unload cars and carry everything from mini-fridges to bedding into the residence halls.

On Sunday, the newest Gorillas gathered for Gorilla Warm-Up, an orientation designed to prepare them for both classes and campus life. They met classmates, their Gorilla Gateway instructors, and peer mentors, then capped the day with a class photo on the football field - a tradition marking the official start of their Pitt State journey.

International Student Orientation

For international students, the transition began a week earlier with a dedicated orientation hosted by the Office of International Programs & Services.

This fall, students from 21 countries were welcomed with tours, workshops, and resources to support both academic success and cultural adjustment.

Friendships quickly formed during activities and shared meals sponsored by the Pittsburg Sunrise Rotary Club, Pittsburg Pizza Hut, and International Friends of Pittsburg.

The week culminates with the International Student Association's welcome party in Gorilla Village - complete with hot dogs, s'mores, games, and music - open to the entire campus community.

Welcome Week traditions

Each fall, Welcome Week offers a lively lineup of events planned by Campus Activities, Fraternity & Sorority Life, Student Success, and numerous student groups.

This year's schedule includes first-day photo ops at the Student Center, free popsicles on the Oval, fraternity house tours, dodgeball, bowling, back-to-school socials, the always-popular foam powder paint party, and the campus involvement fair.

The town-and gown relationship between Pittsburg and Pitt State is special, and businesses display red and gold, gorilla statues, and flags to help students feel welcome.

An annual community fair helps connect students with local businesses, organizations, agencies, and services.

The Gorilla Activities Board also is bringing back fan favorite Chris Jones, a hypnotist known for his interactive, high-energy performances, for a show on Aug. 27 at the Bicknell Center for the Arts.

And that's just the beginning - the semester is packed with opportunities to get involved, connect, and make memories.

• University-wide Events Calendar: events.pittstate.edu
• Gorilla Engage for student organizations: pittstate.campuslabs.com/engage