Old Febs, New Febs Flood Campus with Orientation Enthusiasm

Author: Jasmin Johnson

A spray-painted white welcome banner with blue and silver stars waved in the cold wind outside Proctor Hall on Feb. 6. Spencer Taylor '04.5 and Christopher Jennette '04.5, both leaders for the 2002 February first-year, or "Feb," orientation, enthusiastically greeted everyone outside the dining hall, fellow veteran Febs and first-years alike.

Between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. that day, Middlebury College's newest students arrived at the welcome center in Proctor Woodstove Lounge to begin their college careers.

At the welcome center, excitement filled the air as Feb leaders bursting with zeal scurried among the crowd of new students. As 106 new Febs slowly streamed into the reception area, they were assisted by Feb leaders in getting new MiddCards and information packets and meeting their group leaders.

"This is my favorite part of the year," said Feb leader Kirsten Thomas '04.5, one of 26 orientation leaders who help the new students settle in and get to know their fellow Febs. She said that initially the leaders "were probably more excited than the newbies."

Many members of more senior Feb classes spent their time organizing and supervising the orientation. Another Feb, Aubry Threlkeld '03.5, who manned the Americans with Disabilities Act booth at the welcome center, said that he could not believe that "two years ago, I was on the other side of the table."

"I am so psyched that they are here," said Peter "Brick" Abrikian '04.5, another Feb leader. "You get to hear cool stories about what people did during their break. The Febs really add zest to the campus because they are cool people who did a whole bunch of crazy things with their time."

Preparations for the Feb orientation began as early as October last year. Senior co-chairs of the orientation organizing committee Samantha Dabney '02.5 and Michael Azzara '02.5 worked closely with Assistant Dean of Student Affairs Karen Guttentag in putting together the orientation program. The program included 'typical' College orientation events such as the square dance, the late night McCullough party and the Night at The Grille as well as events unique to the season in which the Febs arrive.

On Saturday, Middlebury's newest additions also had the opportunity to experience an "Après-Ski Party and Dinner" at the Snow Bowl and witness the Torch Light Parade, a delightful Feb tradition in which the ski patrol and instructors ski down the Bowl with torches, forming a huge 'M' at the bottom of the mountain. On Sunday, the Febs were taught the invigorating game of broomball on the broomball field outside McCullough.

"Winter would definitely be a main theme in your Middlebury experience if you were a Feb," said Dabney. Azzara agreed, saying that the Feb orientation, which is "full of tradition," always seems to bring out a "certain energy in the Febs." He doesn't know if this energy is an inherent result of the time the students spend away from academics gaining "life perspective" or if it is passed on to them from the leaders. Whatever it is, according to Azzara, they are "fantastic" people and the new Febs are already living up to the Feb reputation.

Many of the Febs themselves were excited to be back in school. Sophia Nadel '05.5, Michael Hannigan '05.5 and Thomas Hand '05.5 had no regrets about the time they had taken off from college, but said that they were happy to be starting a new phase of their lives. Nadel had participated in a National Outdoor Leadership School program in Patagonia, Chile, while Hannigan had worked in the construction industry and coached a youth hockey team. Hand had traveled to Switzerland and Russia.

Two other Febs who were sampling cuisine and listening to live music at The Grille said that all had gone well during orientation. Sarah Burrows '05.5 and Michael Gaughan '05.5 had shifted into their new rooms, gotten to know their fellow Febs a little better and were looking forward to getting involved in college activities as soon as the semester started.

"I want to write for The Campus," said Gaughan, as he ardently spoke about the craft of writing. Burrows added that she really wants to take advantage of the great language programs Middlebury has to offer. She had explained that she spent time in other countries and definitely enjoys traveling. She said she feels that learning a new language would be very beneficial.

Khairani Barokka '05.5 from Indonesia is one of six international students who join this Feb class. Although looking a little tired and jet-lagged, she gleefully said that she was "very happy and excited" to be at Middlebury. She expressed confidence that she will become accustomed to the time difference and cold weather.

The international students, including an exchange student from France, arrived a day earlier and were guided through the process of filling out official documents and immigration papers, as well as taking care of the nitty-gritty details such as getting bank accounts and buying bedding and toiletries.

Associate Dean of Student Affairs Kathy Foley-Giorgio and Coordinator of International Student Records Nina Patry worked very hard to bring the international students to Middlebury and to provide them with a smooth transition.

"It's such a relief now, to see them here and well settled," said Patry. "It's also a joy to see in person the students I have only gotten to know in emails and printed documents. I am very excited."