New student walk follows same route used for OSU's graduation march

Incoming freshmen gathered on the Memorial Union lawn Tuesday afternoon, were handed orange and black tassels, and walked toward Gill Coliseum, where they were met by cheers from resident advisers and other students.

In four years or a bit later, about 60 percent of those freshmen will trek the same route — to graduation at Oregon State University.

“We’ve given to you tassels that we want you to hang in a prominent place as a reminder of why you’re here,” said Larry Roper, Vice Provost of Student Affairs.

OSU’s 10th annual Convocation, an assembly to welcome new students, took place Tuesday.

“You have picked a great time to be at OSU,” university President Ed Ray told the audience.

Ray listed OSU’s numerous accomplishments, and also mentioned the first-ever university-wide fund-raising campaign, which will be formally announced next month and will lead to improvements throughout campus.

The New Student Walk was first held four years ago, but it has become an important part of OSU CONNECT, the school’s new-student orientation, said Kris Winter, director of New Student Programs and Family Outreach for the university.

“We really wanted to try and add some more tradition to the beginning of CONNECT week, and to give them a bookend to their college experience,” Winter said.

The walk has significantly increased the number of students who show up to Convocation. “We used to have probably under 1,000 people show up. Last year, we printed 2,000 brochures and we ran out,” Winter said.

Of course, there also were family members, faculty and other students in the Gill Coliseum stands.

The student orientation week includes tours of campus and Corvallis, registration for students who haven’t done so already, and opportunities to meet with student groups and more.

And, of course, it’s the start of the college experience.

Alex Johnston, 18, of Forest Grove arrived in Corvallis on Sunday, and said it’s been great meeting other residents in McNary Hall, including students from other towns and states.

“It’s fun. You get to meet a lot of new people,” said Karina Escalante, 18, of Hermiston, as she waited for the new student walk in the Memorial Union Quad.

“Lots of freedom,” added Cindy Hernandez, 18, of Hood River, who mentioned staying up late as a perk of being away from home.

Classes start Monday, though, so many late nights will include textbooks soon. Especially if students want to make that trek again within four years

OSU’s four-year graduation rate is about 33 percent, according to a university report. The five-year graduation rate is 55 percent.

OSU’s six-year graduation rate of 60 percent is slightly higher than the statewide average of 53.5 percent for the Oregon University System, said Steve Edwards of the OSU Office of Institutional Research. Edwards said he wasn’t aware of a source for a nationwide comparison.

Kyle Odegard covers Oregon State University. He can be contacted at kyle.odegard@lee.net or 758-9523.

By the numbers

3,689 n incoming freshmen

934 n new transfer students

189 n different majors declared

144 n new students ranked No. 1 in their high school graduating class

73 n age of the oldest member of the incoming class

61 n different countries represented

15 n age of the youngest freshman