SHU shows appreciation for orientation assistants

Looking at the student body at Seton Hill University (SHU), there are many young adults willing to lend a hand. Many of these devoted students assist in a variety of clubs and organizations that bring entertainment or publicity to the Hill. As for each orientation assistant (OA) who loaned both helping hands over the summer, as well as during Griffin Days, were awarded a special dinner in their honor.
An OA’s job is to help set up orientation days by planning the event and the fun activities involved, as well as the Playfair, glow dance, and talent show held the first weekend orientation. For all those meetings and hard work needed to make the freshmen feel welcome, the OAs received their thanks at the buffet-style dinner.


By Tiffany Gilbert,
Contributor
Looking at the student body at Seton Hill University (SHU), there are many young adults willing to lend a hand. Many of these devoted students assist in a variety of clubs and organizations that bring entertainment or publicity to the Hill. As for each orientation assistant (OA) who loaned both helping hands over the summer, as well as during Griffin Days, were awarded a special dinner in their honor.
An OA’s job is to help set up orientation days by planning the event and the fun activities involved, as well as the Playfair, glow dance, and talent show held the first weekend orientation. For all those meetings and hard work needed to make the freshmen feel welcome, the OAs received their thanks at the buffet-style dinner.
Andrew Roberts, a junior, said, “It’s a small get together where we can sit around, talk and eat cheesecake.”
It was also an honorary dinner where each assistant received a certificate honoring their much appreciated volunteer work. Keisha Jimmerson, assistant director of students of resident life distributed the certificates along with Kandy Turner, an intern. Jimmerson and Turner delivered brief speeches. Zach Harvey, a senior allocated a scholarship to Garyn Ehrlich for being the glue that stuck everyone together with his entertainment and humorous attitude when the group needed a boost of energy and insight.
The Orientation Assistants were: Janice Antal, Tiffany Brattina, Mary Clark, Kirsten Eberlein, Garyn Ehrlich, Mike Ferrari, Amanda Gallagher, Emily Gearhart, Zachary Harvey, Holly Kistler, Vanessa Kolberg, Doug Krivda, Amianne Labuda, Katie Manni, Christina Mason, Josh McCave, Rebecca Milliard, Jim Mills, Erin Mitchell, Krista Ocilka, Jimmy Pirlo, Andrew Roberts, Juli Sproull, Amanda Swartz, Bay Zapola.
Bay Zapola, a junior, said, “Overall, the program this year was successful. I saw conversation heat up quickly and more friendships formed right away.”
Jimmy Pirlo, a senior, said, “It’s an organized way to meet new people.”
Overall, many believe the orientations were a success uniting the class of 2010 as well as the new students who are making the 2006-2007 school year their first at Seton Hill.
“I thought the program this year went smoothly. This dinner was a close up to appreciate their outstanding efforts. The OA’s engaged into families and I couldn’t have done it without these guys,” Jimmerson said.
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