By Bryson Carter
A new school year also means the addition of many new faces to campus. As the next freshman class was packing and getting ready to head somewhere some of them have never been before, the faculty and staff at Greensboro College were prepping to welcome them in the best way possible with the annual Welcome Week at GC.
Welcome Week is essentially a time where a plethora of engaging and exciting events are happening almost all the time across campus. It gives new students a chance to explore the campus and find out what kind of things they may like.
“Welcome Week offers critical touchpoints for our students,” said Devin Phifer, director of First Year Experience. “For new students, it is a time to begin to make connec tions and get plugged into a variety of activities and resources.”
Most importantly, it gets students out of their rooms and out meeting new people who could potentially be lifelong friends.
Friday started off Welcome Week with the Free Money Game Show. Students got to compete in different trivia games to earn some free money. Then on Saturday, the real fun began. Students had the opportunity to go to have pancakes with their Pride Leaders in the cafe, go to a Discovery Fair in the library, have a coffee and play some board games in the Student Center. They ended the day with a Late-Night Glow Party in Reynolds Center with street sign and license plate making. It was a very exciting day for all who took the opportunity to participate and some people took home some epic souvenirs.
Many students reported feeling more included in the GC community after these events.
“During Welcome Week, I felt like I could bond with a lot of people at whatever activity was planned that day,” said freshman CJ Jett. “It just really let me feel what it is like to be a part of such a tight knit community.”
“Welcome Week is what helped me build the friends I have today,” said freshman Bella Hawkes, “People were inviting us to things and making sure we didn’t feel left out.”
For some students, it truly did just keep them from sitting in their rooms all day.
“It (Welcome Week) helped me get social early and is what truly has helped me continue to be social thus far.”
Not only is it fun for students, but the faculty and staff also love watching the events unfold.
“My favorite part of Welcome Week was seeing everyone coming out to all of the fun events, having a great time and making new friends,” recalled Jonathan Hall, director of Student Activities. “It was fun meeting all of the new people during check-in and being a part of welcoming them to campus.”
Overall, Welcome Week 2026 was a huge success. Incoming students feel welcomed, loved
and included in our GC Community.
