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After the COVID-19 pandemic forced a two-year shift to an online format, Pfeiffer鈥檚 Summer Orientation, Advising & Registration (SOAR) programming has welcomed incoming Falcons and their families back to campus. 鈥淭here鈥檚 nothing like face-to-face interactions,鈥� said Ron Laffitte, Pfeiffer鈥檚 Dean of Students. 鈥淥ne of Pfeiffer鈥檚 assets is our people 鈥� the Pfeiffer family 鈥� and the value and importance of that is best felt on campus and in person.鈥�
The SOAR schedule includes everything from welcoming remarks by Dr. Scott Bullard, Pfeiffer鈥檚 President, to presentations on topics such as academics, athletics, and critical support services.

Also this year, for the first time, there are two different presentations for parents, each designed to address questions and concerns, from a different perspective. 鈥淧arents: Sending Your Student to College,鈥� is first offered by Pfeiffer faculty and staffers who鈥檝e sent their own children to college. The companion talk is led by current Pfeiffer students.

Laffitte plugs the parent presentations as a great way to reassure parents and alleviate the anxieties that come with sending a child away to college. The panel discussions offer general advice as well as responses to specific concerns from the participants. He also promotes the Commuter 101 presentation, which focuses exclusively on the commuter student experience and opportunities for engagement in campus life outside of the classroom.
New students also benefit from a Campus Life Fair designed to introduce the many important features of Pfeiffer鈥檚 culture, from Student Wellness to Religious Life.

The SOAR of 2022 鈥渉as been amazing so far,鈥� Laffitte said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a personal, caring and intentional program that answers questions and helps with the transition from high school student to college student. It鈥檚 a great time, too, for our faculty to get to know our new students. To me, it鈥檚 a direct reflection of what Pfeiffer is and stands for.鈥�

As was the case in past years, student orientation leaders play an important role in SOAR. Fourteen current students, from rising sophomores to rising seniors, are led by Landon Orrand 鈥�23 and Kennise Brown 鈥�24.鈥淥ur job as leaders is to make sure that the new students acclimate well,鈥� Orrand said. 鈥淲e talk to just about every new student and their parents.鈥�
The student orientation leaders have lots to do, with each assigned to a different group of new students. The leaders help connect new students with their advisors. They take them on tours of residence halls, and introduce them to important student websites and apps. Current Falcons also lead entering students through a series of ice-breaking games to ensure that they get to know one another before their return in the fall.

Orrand said that SOAR helps to answer the kinds of questions that new students tend to pose to veteran ones. One of the most common: What should I bring? Orrand recommends packing extra blankets as well as shower slippers and caddies.

New students are also eager to learn about Pfeiffer鈥檚 many extracurricular activities. Orrand and the other student orientation leaders encourage them to check the Campus Activities Board regularly. Paula Morris, Pfeiffer鈥檚 Director of Student Involvement, offers a presentation highlighting events throughout the academic year.

鈥淧feiffer is one of those places where you鈥檙e going to thrive if you鈥檙e involved,鈥� Orrand said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a you-get-what-you-give thing.鈥�
Orrand stresses that the first two weekends of the academic year will be packed with activities for new students. She urges them not to visit home at that time.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a great opportunity to make new friends and get used to being at school,鈥� she said.

*Editor鈥檚 Note: A virtual SOAR session will be held for out-of-state and foreign students in July, and a final in-person session will be held just before the fall semester begins in August.