Cedar Crest Orientation Encourages Students to Unleash Their Inner Superhero

Cedar Crest College’s fall Orientation will be held Thursday, August 22 through Sunday, August 25, to welcome the incoming first-year students. This year’s theme, “Unleash Your Inner Superhero,” incorporates workshops that introduce new students to opportunities on campus and the College’s core values, while also offering seminars centered on leadership. Orientation will kick-off with Cedar Crest’s move-in day from 8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. on Thursday, August 22.

Students will move into Butz, Steinbright and Moore residence halls throughout the morning and early afternoon and then take part in Orientation activities, starting with lunch at the President’s Residence. Students and their families are invited to a picnic-style lunch from 10:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., where they have the opportunity to meet President Ambar and get to know their classmates.

Later in the day, the class of 2017 will all stand together for the traditional class photo on the Blaney Hall steps (3:15 p.m.) and participate in the Open Door Ceremony (3:45 p.m.), during which they will state their name and hometown and walk through the open door of Blaney Hall to follow in the footsteps of those who have come before.  

The complete list of Orientation weekend activities also includes the annual Day of Service on Friday, Aug. 23, from 8:15 a.m. to noon, the Strawberry Festival from 7-8:15 p.m., and the Convocation ceremony on Sunday, August 25 at 4 p.m.

Day of Service sends new students, current students and other members of the Cedar Crest College community to local social service agencies for community service—a major component of the College’s mission. The Strawberry Festival, a tradition since 1913, invites new students to the President’s Residence to enjoy delicious fruit, chocolate and to make new friends. Convocation is the official welcome into the academic community at Cedar Crest.

“What I enjoy about Orientation is that our students are immersed in our traditions and values from the day they set foot on campus.” said Cedar Crest College President, Carmen Twillie Ambar. “The class will graduate during the College’s 150th anniversary year, so they will truly be a part of Cedar Crest’s history from the first to the last day they are on campus as students.”

Located in Allentown, Pa., Cedar Crest College was selected as a “Top Regional College” and “Best Value” in U.S. News and World Report’s Best Colleges rankings for 2012 and 2013. The liberal arts college is committed to the education of women leaders in an increasingly global society. Founded in 1867, Cedar Crest currently enrolls more than 1,400 students—full-time, part-time and graduate—in more than 30 fields of study.