“LB is not just about coming in and taking classes — it’s about community.” – Deron Carter
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LBCC’s annual Welcome Day started at 9 a.m. in the Commons Cafeteria with a full complementary pancake breakfast at the college’s Albany campus where new — and returning — students had the opportunity to learn about the college and meet the staff.
“We served a ton of students, a rough estimate of 500, which was way more than last year,” said Deron Carter, interim dean and physical sciences faculty.
“While I was serving pancakes, I had a student that was really nervous. She goes, ‘Is there going to be some sort of tour? Because I have no idea where anything is.’ And we told her about the scavenger hunt. It’s a fun way to see the campus and a great opportunity to connect students with resources that can support them.”
Heading out into the courtyard where more than 90 booths resided, it was easy to get turned around. Luckily, the Welcome Day pamphlets handed out near Takena Hall consisted of school information, a campus map, and the scavenger hunt.
Upon collecting 20 stamps from various booths, students had a chance to win free tuition credits as well as other prizes. It also gave the opportunity to connect with other students, clubs, faculty, and the community of LB.
Navigating through bustling crowds and vibrant music brought booths with wheels to spin for prizes, informational pamphlets, stickers, and friendly faces ready to answer questions.
Near the entrance were booths that could also provide information on Oregon State University, business management, student employment, the resource center, and many more.
The parent education program, which had a table in front of Red Cedar Hall, offers classes for parents to learn about temperament and child development. For parents living further away from campus, they offer temporary transportation and evening classes, as well as childcare.
Booths stationed in front of White Oak Hall were more major-focused, such as history, biology, music, and journalism. The physical sciences table highlighted three different programs such as chemistry, physics, and geology/general sciences.
Within those programs are distinct degrees: physics, chemistry, geology, environmental sciences, and food/fermentation science. For a unique and delicious presentation, the booth made liquid nitrogen ice cream for students.
Around this area stood a new face, Madeline Schosha.
“I am majoring in biochemistry. I’ve always kind of been into the sciences — I took a couple of AP classes in high school and really enjoyed it. So, I said, I want to continue doing this stuff and get into research and development. I’m also in the degree partnership program with OSU and LBCC. I live nearby, and I heard the program is good.”
Over at the math department, they promoted a new math springboard that allowed students to brush up on their math skills before the term starts. They also try to connect students by providing supportive services and welcoming smiles — because they know sometimes math can be intimidating.
The English booth encouraged students to be curious about writing and introduced them to all forms — whether it be nonfiction, poetry, or flash fiction. It was important for them to raise awareness about English and creative writing as a major.
Just a couple of steps away stood club-related booths, such as the Garden Club, Tabletop Games Club, Poetry Club, Creative Writing Club, and a few others.
Estudiantes del Sol focuses on things that are going on in our community, both on and off campus. Their mission is to promote student academic success, raise awareness about various cultures and to promote change and uplift students. They welcome everybody and talk about a range of topics — from politics to opinions. Sometimes they host potlucks, fundraisers, and study jams. Estudiantes del Sol meets every Thursday from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. in Forum 220.
The Gender and Sexuality Alliance booth showcased a variety of beautiful art and flyers for events — such as a pamphlet promoting the Art Club. A show on Oct. 17 from 4 to 7 p.m. in the South Santiam Hall Gallery will feature works representing 26 queer and trans artists from our community. This event will include poetry, food, and a live harp player.
The Gender and Sexuality Alliance meets on Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to noon in Red Cedar Hall 207. They are also offering an introduction to Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies.
Upstairs inside the Engagement Center was a booth promoting the Common Ground program, which focuses on issues of equity and diversity within higher education. It’s a six-hour-a-week commitment in which a student is required to research and gain an understanding of these issues, and form activities and raise awareness. In exchange, the student receives six credit hours of tuition. Common Ground meets on campus, typically in the Engagement Center, and the meeting times are flexible.
Hanging around this area stood another new student, Roan Peterson.
“I’m majoring in early education. I like teaching and I enjoyed working with kids every year. I had a class that sent me to another school and I helped teach there — that was really fun. All of the teachers and staff (at LB) sound really nice. It seems like a closer program than OSU or other colleges.”
The Culinary Arts Program was busy recruiting new students for this upcoming school year, with around 10 students returning, a full class of first years, and a full waiting list. It is a two-year associate cohort program where students learn foundational skills about the French style of cooking, professional communication, and a focus on time management and multitasking.
For their first year, they learn knife skills, different soups and sauces as well as baking and pastry, cakes, croissants, laminated doughs, etc. By the second year, there is more freedom in which they focus on professionalism and self-management. Some students learn butchery, menu planning, and purchasing.
After completing the program, some students have gone on to run their own food trucks or businesses. One student went to work at a Michelin-star restaurant on the East Coast and another moved to New Zealand to work at a bakery.
Another accumulation of booths included free caricatures, the National Guard, NASA, Monster Energy, Roastrunners Café and various engineering tables.
Rocky the Roadrunner made an appearance, weaving through the crowds and delivering greetings.
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At a Glance:
LBCC Welcome Day
- Where: Linn-Benton Community College’s Albany Campus.
- What: An event that brings together new and returning students, faculty and staff, and resources and opportunities as the new school year begins.
- You can email the Student Leadership Council for more information on clubs and co-curriculars at: getinvolved@linnbenton.edu
- LB’s main phone number is 541-917-4999
