Students and families attend first summer orientation on Waldorf Campus

Students and families listen to Dr. Bob Alsop speak at the 'planning and knowing your academic experience' session in the atrium.

“Who will be my roommate?” “Are the professors friendly?” “What is the average class size?” These were some of the many anxious questions the staff of Waldorf College answered at the summer orientation that was held on campus Friday, June 24. In its fourth year, Waldorf’s summer program drew a total of 28 students from throughout the Midwest. The midsummer morning kicked off with assessment and writing exams, followed by educational and informative sessions about Waldorf and the Forest City community.

“We did an ice breaker, which was fun,” said Lindy Pins of Lake Mills who will join Waldorf this fall and major in biology.

The summer orientation is geared toward the families of incoming students. The program aims to address parents’ concerns, take care of the check-in process and allow students to interact with faculty members and fellow students. “When students arrive in the fall they are so busy settling and checking in, they don’t get a lot of time to sit down and talk to people and no time to attend educational sessions,” said Jason Ramaker, dean of students.

Incoming freshman and transfer students had an opportunity to talk to current students about life on campus and things to do in Forest City. At lunch, they interacted with the professors about the nature of the classes at Waldorf.

“Students really like meeting other students and professors so they don’t arrive not knowing anyone,” said Amy Woods, director of student activities and orientation.

The program included sessions on health insurance, financial aid and discussion about classes with Waldorf faculty. The Warrior Fair Table had valuable information about different academic and staff departments. Ramaker explained one of the aims of the orientation is also to convince parents that their kids will be safe here. “Parents are emotionally dealing with emptiness syndrome, as the kid is leaving the nest and learning to fly,” he said.

This orientation was Greenfield, IA, resident Janelle Meisenheimer’s fourth trip to the Waldorf campus in the last few months. Her daughter, Staci Meisenheimer, wanted to join Waldorf her freshman year but went to a community college instead. “I had a friend who came up here. I liked the smallness here,” said Staci, who will start her junior year at Waldorf and major in elementary education.

The second summer orientation will be held on July 22, with the mandatory two-day fall orientation program following on Aug. 11-12 and Aug. 26-28.