Circle the (welcome) wagons: All-American Welcome, the weeklong, back-to-school celebration that includes more than 70 events, kicks off on August 20. Faculty and staff are encouraged to sign up to help members of the Class of 2027 and returning Eagles settle into campus. 
 
“All-American Welcome is the foundation for the new journey the students and their families are about the embark on,” says volunteer Chandni Ramwani, director of special events in the College of Arts and Sciences. “Seeing the smiles on students’ faces, knowing that you played a part in their smooth transition, and being part of a supportive community [is] incredibly gratifying.”
 
Volunteers are needed to pitch in with move-in and to greet first-year students as they file into Bender Arena for opening convocation on August 25. 
 
“Getting to know students I wouldn’t normally work with is a benefit of volunteering,” says Andrew Toczydlowski, director of graduate student success in the Office of Graduate and Professional Studies. Equally enjoyable: “Meeting new colleagues and learning about their roles at AU is also a cool experience.”  
 
All-American Welcome “is a great way to start the new year and to see our newest students and their families” adds volunteer Jeff Brown, interim assistant vice president for student affairs. “They are so relieved to see so many smiling faces ready to help at every point along the way.” 
 
Sign up for a shift by Friday, August 11.