As incoming students from every imaginable background and locale begin to settle into their new surroundings, it can be safely assumed that they carry with them a common feeling of anxiousness. Other students who are a little more Starkville-savvy have been in their position before and recognize what can be a rough transition.
Shaking off the summer’s rust and getting back into one’s academic groove things can get complicated. To make the changeover from summer to the fall semester a little smoother, Mississippi State presents: Dawg Daze.
Scheduled to be held between Aug 11 and Aug 30, Dawg Daze encompasses a 20-day period that marks summer’s progression into the university’s fall academic semester.
This campuswide involvement workshop of sorts is made possible by student leaders and committees within the university as well as sponsors such as Barnes & Noble.
According to Lisa Harris, associate vice president for student affairs and key proponent in the planning for Dawg Daze, everyone involved in the project is ambitious to create an environment that is welcoming and appealing “across all different levels of interest” present among the student population.
Harris’ vision for the project is for Dawg Daze to continue to “acclimate, introduce and engage [students] with their new university.”
By engaging students with events such as the Sports Fair, which was Thursday, and the Student Involvement Fair, scheduled for the 29th, Dawg Daze is creating a more productive atmosphere and a sense of inclusion throughout campus.
Primarily aimed at familiarizing newly enrolled freshmen and transfer students with the goings-on around campus, the nearly three-week-long itinerary includes ice-breaking events that range from whimsical water sports to block parties and cookouts.
During Dawg Daze the campus breathes activity; new students are encouraged to interact and are introduced to the Mississippi State family through all forms of hospitality.
Some of this year’s more interesting events include a culturally inclusive scavenger hunt planned by Holmes Cultural Diversity Center, an event called “Global Fuzion” where food samples from around the world are served, and Slip and Slide Bowling, an event that garnered the “Picture of the Day” honor this year.
In contrast with the smaller, more personal events offered during Dawg Daze (the day hike in the Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge for example), there are the events that are designed to include large numbers of students.
A sizeable crowd of students, student athletes, band members, and faculty members showed for The Drill, a large production with an atmosphere similar to pep rallies back in high school.
President “Doc” Foglesong displayed his musical talents as he made an appearance with the band, Bark.
Other notable participants included State men’s basketball coach Rick Stansbury, who stirred the crowd with projections of a successful upcoming season.
Coach Sylvester Croom was also in attendance and drew some noise from fans eager for Thursday’s game against Louisiana State University.
According to Croom, Dawg Daze has had an encouraging impact on the football team.
The incoming freshmen playing under Croom have been on campus for a while participating in summer football workouts. Croom said.
“One of the strengths of Mississippi State is the family atmosphere,” and when the football team, especially the younger players, is able to witness the examples of campuswide enthusiasm brought on by Dawg Daze it “provides an extra push” and acts as an added “motivation factor” for them.
Student Association president Jeremy Johnson offered an upbeat and purposeful assessment of Dawg Daze describing it as “a chance to meet involved individuals–students that love the university.