By MATT PIKE
St. Joseph Post
Missouri Western State University is ready to welcome students back to campus to kick off a new semester in St. Joseph.
With the first day of classes coming on Monday, students will be moving into the dorms today.
And for incoming freshman, Dean of Students Robert Goltra says Griffon Edge will begin tomorrow.
"Griffon Edge is an opportunity that allows students to get one credit hour for courses that takes place just a few days before the fall semester kicks off,” Goltra tells KFEQ Hotline host Barry Birr. “And it was created to give incoming freshman an edge, a start, some extra resources, guidance, and support so that those first few weeks are even more special to them.”
Goltra says after students got their first college experience during freshman orientation, this provides another opportunity to get more acclimated to college life.
During the first weeks of school, officials with the university are working hard to make sure students get acclimated to life in college.
Goltra says the first two to five weeks of school are crucial to make sure students have all the necessary information, and research shows if they persist, they succeed
"We want to make sure those first two to five weeks that we’re very well connected in every manner you can think of, so yes, we’re far more active that first week, we’re active throughout the whole academic year, but especially those first few weeks,” Goltra explains. “Research tells us that we’ve got to make sure we’re rolling out the red carpet, we’re getting the bells and whistles out there, but most importantly that we’re communicating well.”
As students return to campus for a new semester, fun events will be held throughout the week welcoming them back.
One event during what the university is calling Welcome Week, will be the Western Warm-Up.
Goltra says the Western-Warm Up will give area businesses the opportunity to show off what there is to do in St. Joseph for students.
"Students will literally come in and flow through, over 1,000 of our students will flow through a centralized area on campus and be able to see all the neat activities in our community,” Goltra says. "Whether that be the Go Kart track, some people don’t know that hidden gem here, clear into the opportunities we have in terms of even health resources and services for our student body.”
Welcome Week will also feature other activities such as Bingo and a Movie Night.
If you're interested in showing off your business during the Western Warm-Up you can contact Josh Clary at the university.
The first day of classes at Missouri Western is on Monday.
You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.