Last week was not only the return of the upperclassmen, but it was also the start of the ‘Best Welcome Week Ever’ for the incoming freshman representing the class of 2014.            The First Year Experience (F.Y.E.) staff put on an informative and entertaining week of events to help the freshmen become better acclimated to campus, while also making it an experience that will be hard to forget.            Terrence Haynes, Jr., a freshman business management major was pleasantly surprised with the welcome he received.            “I was expecting to sit in a lot of meetings and little get togethers in the student union, I wasn’t expecting the fun activities such as laser tag and for all the organizations to show out and welcome us like they did,” said Haynes.            The week, dedicated to freshmen, began Sunday, Aug. 22 with the New Student Induction Ceremony with guest speaker Patricia McCloud, and the Chancellor’s reception shortly followed. The next day, students were offered a chance to participate in a game of laser tag and on Aug. 24, the students participated in a game of beach volleyball, held in the Holland Bowl.            The Aggie Soccer Fest and Aggie Pride 101 took place on Wednesday, Aug. 25 and free health screenings were offered in the recreation center on Aug 26. The first women’s Aggie volleyball game of the school year was also held on Thursday Aug. 26.            On Friday Aug. 20, “The Family Reunion” Welcome Back Festival began with the Student Organizational Fair, where student organizations offered information, displayed trophies and pictures around the Holland Bowl. While there, the students were given the chance to see the organizations offered on campus, and were also encouraged to ask questions to gain further knowledge of the various organizations. Shauna Irwin, Director of Student Leadership Development, said this of the fair, “The ‘Org fair’ is one way student can be acquainted, re-acquainted with the campus, see/meet new friends and engage in activities that encourage students to be excited, involved and engaged in the campus culture and climate.”            After the organizational fair ended, students were served food, in a cookout style. A stage was set up on the hill of the Holland Bowl for all in attendance to witness various acts. Two acts that performed on the stage were local groups, Team Fresh and District Nine. A “Greek Unity” step was performed by the campus National Pan Hellenic Council, and a talent showcase from both Couture Productions and Verge Modeling Troupe.            Around 8:30 p.m. Christian Robinson, Student Government Vice President of External Affairs, and Tasha Hilton, president of the Student University Activities Board, made the anticipated announcement of the Homecoming activities and special celebrity guest lineup.            The gospel concert will feature Kurt Curr and the A&T gospel choir. Bruce Bruce is set to headline the comedy show. The dates for the fashion and step show were announced as well.            After making the crowd patiently wait, the Homecoming concert lineup was finally revealed. California Swag District, Chrisette Michelle, J. Cole, Rick Ross and Drake are all scheduled to perform at the “The Greatest Homecoming on Earth” this year.              In an effort to give students the opportunity to purchase Homecoming tickets at the earliest possible time, the ticket office opened at midnight. Students lined up at the door of the ticket office, wrapping around to the bookstore.            “I didn’t want to wait because I know that Drake is coming, and I had to be as close as possible. Plus if I attend a concert I have to have good seats,” said Catrese Parks, a senior child development and family studies major.            Parks also noticed that the majority of the people in line were freshmen that were excited.            “They seemed to be excited, while all the upperclassmen were more mellow, the freshmen were definitely eager,” said Parks.            Ending the freshmen welcome week of events, students, alumni and the media showed up at the Aggie Stadium in their blue and gold attire to welcome the football team at the Aggie Fun Fest.            While welcome week is created to entertain, one of the main focuses is to inform the incoming freshmen class of everything the campus has to offer. It also provides students with assistance to help make their college transition easier.            “My campus mentor and pretty much whoever else I asked has been very helpful,” continued Haynes.            Although many of the activities have been added and changed, the Student Development staff, F.Y.E, SUAB and the SGA gave their best efforts of making last week “The Best Welcome Week Ever.” 

• Ashley Vaughn