The College of Business and Economics (CBE) proudly welcomed over 300 new students to our CBE community on Friday, August 25th.
For students in the BS in Business and Economics Program, College Convocation started in Lewis Lab, where Dean Georgette Chapman Phillips and Associate Dean Katrina Zalatan welcomed students and encouraged them to explore academically, get engaged in growth opportunities outside the classroom, and capitalize on the many resources the CBE and Lehigh offer to support student success.
After the deans’ welcoming remarks, student officers from Lehigh’s Chapter of Beta Gamma Sigma Honor Society conducted a question-and-answer panel around the general theme of meeting academic expectations. Panelists included Student Chapter President Megan Rich, Vice President of Programming Kevin Kenna, and Vice President of Finance Madison Uram. The panelists provided perspective about their transitions from high school to Lehigh academics and what “integrity” meant to them as business students. Panelists also answered students’ questions on a wide variety of other topics including study time, organization, and double majors.
First-year students then walked to the Rauch Business Center (RBC) to meet in small groups with their H.A.W.K.S. Peer Mentors to address transition questions.
Incoming first-year students in the Computer Science and Business (CSB) Program started their day in Neville Hall with an orientation by CSB Co-Directors Professors Jim Hall and Hank Korth, while students entering our Integrated Business and Engineering (IBE) Program were welcomed in Mohler Lab by IBE Co-Directors Professors Steve Buell and Bob Storer. After their program orientations, CSB and IBE student cohorts were each welcomed by Dean Zalatan and Assistant Dean Emily Ford.
All afternoon, CSB and IBE co-directors and advisors were available to ensure first-year business students had schedules ready for the start of classes on Monday. In the CBE Undergraduate Programs Office, advisors Twana Walker, Kimberly Bruno, Megan Borascius, and Adam Troxel held walk-in hours to address issues and meet new advisees. H.A.W.K.S. Peer Mentors and Beta Gamma Sigma officers were also available to answer students’ questions in the office.
Support for first-year students doesn’t stop when Convocation ends! The CBE Undergraduate Programs Office is open every weekday except University holidays from 8:15 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. The office is located on the third floor of the Rauch Business Center (RBC 385 and 395), immediately above the Common Grounds cafe and below the Center for Career and Professional Development. Advising office hours, instructions to make an appointment online via AdvisorTrac, and contact information are posted to the CBE Undergraduate Programs Office department web site.
Thanks to everyone who helped the newest members of our CBE community get off to a great start, and best of luck, first-year students, as you start your Lehigh experience!