Welcome OWLS Week 2025 Kicks Off the Academic Year

As the first leaves start to turn across New England, the Westfield State Owls have been busy marking their own transitions from summer into fall with a busy start to the 2025-2026 academic year. 

New and returning Owls flew back to fill up the Nest with an exciting Fall Orientation and Welcome OWLS Week running from Sunday, August 31 through Saturday, September 6. 

Residential students and their families were greeted with cheers and eager volunteers ready to haul gear to rooms as everyone settled in. Families and friends hugged goodbye as new students started to get to know their roommates and explore their residence halls. All students were assigned to groups led by a trained Orientation Leader who was there to ease the transition and answer even the smallest questions about campus life. Once everyone met with their group, they made their way from the Campus Green to the Woodward Center for the University Welcome where they received greetings and words of wisdom from campus leaders including Director of Student Life Matt Dellea, Dean of Students Maggie Balch, Vice President of Enrollment Management, Marketing, and Student Affairs Kevin Hearn and President Linda Thompson. 

Dellea gave a short preview of what new students should expect and shared an inspiring story that reminded them “that success isn’t always about getting things right on the first try. It’s about the journey, the lessons learned along the way, and the resilience to keep going despite the odds.” He encouraged them to remember “how far a little persistence and a willingness to learn can take you.”

Students dove into learning as Orientation Leaders and Residence Hall leaders held their first meetings while Commuter Students got to meet the Commuter Council and talk about life as a commuter student. The first evening ended with “Carnival Lights and Delights” – a time to unwind with games, prizes, and new friends.

The first full day of orientation kept new students busy with important training events on what it means to be an Owl while returning students had their turn to move into Residence Halls. The day drew to a close with Owlympics which tested participants’ problem-solving skills and team building abilities and the Annual Glow Party, one of the favorite campus traditions. Students came dressed to get messy as black lights highlighted neon paint spread across the crowd during the high energy dance party. Students who needed a break from the action enjoyed chilling out on glow-up swing sets and choosing treats from food trucks.

Tuesday, September 2 brought the Orientation trainings to a close as students transitioned to meetings with their academic departments.  Faculty and staff enjoyed their own campus reunions with a morning Parliament in Dever Auditorium. President Thompson welcomed and thanked everyone for all the ways they contribute to a vibrant campus community. She also announced that the University’s new Strategic Plan was in its final stages of development as campus begins work on the four strategic goals:

• Foster Innovative Learning
• Advance Student Success
• Optimize Stewardship of Campus Resources;
• Amplify Institutional Impact and Influence. 

Looking forward to 2029, our Strategic Plan predicts that we will increase enrollment, and our students, faculty, staff, librarians, and alumni will be engaged in creating a vibrant atmosphere for Westfield State University on and off campus. Our students will be successful in learning, personal growth, and goal achievement. They will be competitive in employment, enjoy social mobility, and our University will be financially stable with updated facilities. Our faculty, librarians, and staff will be supported in their teaching, learning, and professional development, and will continue to be the primary drivers of student success. Our institution will continue to be governed well, is trusted and respected, and has a great reputation in and outside of the Commonwealth. 

As a public higher education leader, I embrace my duty to champion policies and practices that ensure every individual has the opportunity to learn and to thrive. My colleagues and I are guided by our shared responsibility and remain committed to advocating for policies that support and advance our campus.

 By serving our citizens with a strategic, measured approach in providing a first-rate education, we see INFINITE OPPORTUNITES for those learners who desire to succeed and contribute to the health and vitality of their families and our region for decades to come.

Following a day of meetings and activities, all Owls celebrated the start of the academic year with socializing over a BBQ on the Green followed by a special night of lawn games, music, and more food trucks.  The evening was capped off with the first Westfield State welcome drone show. The night sky was lit up with special messages of welcome, encouragement for students, images of Nestor and even President Thompson’s bedazzled blue hat!

The first day of classes kept the energy high with free energy drinks on the Green as students made their way to class. Anyone with questions or needing assistance could also visit the Welcome tent staffed by faculty and staff volunteers who were eager to help. Students who still had first day jitters could relax and let loose that evening with a comedy show and activities proven to reduce stress like massage chairs, healthy smoothies, an oxygen bar, and crafts like glass etching.

Classes and fun continued on Thursday, September 4 with a themed “Once Upon a Late Night” in the Dining Commons with special late night breakfast served with a DJ, black light mini golf, axe throwing, and the opportunity for students to make their own street signs to decorate their home away from home. 

Activities didn’t slow down over the weekend as students could brave an adventure night on Friday with bungee jumping, rock climbing, and inflatables on the green before heading to the beloved Westfield State bingo with larger than normal prizes and a late-night fiesta fun buffet.  Saturday brought the Owls to the Woodward Center for the first home football game which unfortunately was brought to an early close with bad weather. Thankfully, the weather improved on Sunday for informal sports tournaments, giving everyone a preview of what campus intramurals will be like.

As the fall semester swings into high gear, memories of Welcome OWLS Week 2025 remain clear as a time of celebration, preparation, and enthusiasm for friends and colleagues and all the special traditions of Westfield State University.

See the full Welcome Week photo gallery here.