Sam Houston State University kicked off the fall semester with Welcome Week, a Bearkat tradition that brings students together and integrates new students into campus through various events during the first week of class.
For Dannie Moore, vice president for student affairs, Welcome Week is about more than entertainment. It’s about creating a strong start for students.
“A lot of people think of college like it is 13th grade. It isn’t, college is a totally different world,” Moore said. “I think things like Welcome Week gives new students an opportunity to make connections, get to know people and actually enjoy their transition into college.”
Evangelina Covarrubias, program coordinator for the Department of Campus Activities and Involvement, agreed that Welcome Week is about more than just free food and games. For her, it’s about community and making new students feel at home.
“Welcome Week is really about reconnecting with students after summer break, while also introducing new and transfer students to SHSU’s culture,” Covarrubias said. “It’s such a huge part of our campus.”
Welcome Week has been part of SHSU’s culture for decades. According to East Texas History, the first Welcome Week recorded events date back to the 1990s. Over time, it has grown into one of the university’s most anticipated celebrations.
Covarrubias, who has been in her role for three years, has helped plan both spring and fall Welcome Week events that engage with current Bearkats trends. Among the most popular events are the Bearkat Picnic and Sammy’s Lip Sync Battle. Both events typically draw large crowds, offering free food, giveaways and plenty of entertainment.
“I personally love the lip sync battle because Sammy performs a new song every year, and it’s just such a fun atmosphere,” Covarrubias said. “But I’d say the Bearkat Picnic definitely brings the biggest crowd. It’s a favorite because of the free shirts, food, and the chance to hang out with Sammy.”
Moore added that the program directly connects to SHSU’s mission of student success and belonging.
“Students won’t be successful if their transition doesn’t go well,” Moore said. “If you start somewhere and it feels terrible, you don’t want to stay. For us, we want students to know they belong here from day one, and the wide variety of Welcome Week events makes sure there’s something for everyone.”
This year’s lineup also includes Katsino Night on September 2, Bearkat Mania on September 3, and culminates with the highly anticipated Sammypalooza on September 6. This year’s Sammypalooza will include performances from rappers Waka Flocka Flame and The Mexican OT.
Moore said students can expect more large-scale programming in the future.
“We piloted bringing Sammy Palooza back, and within a week and a half, tickets were gone,” Moore said. “Students want big experiences, and we’re going to keep building on that to make SHSU’s student life unmatched.”
Click here for the full list of Welcome Week events.
