Alumni host terrific student send-offs

I just got back from the Pictou County student send-off. We have an energetic and fun alumni group there; Paul Fraser and his team did a terrific job, once again, with this annual event. We had 30+ new students in attendance, plus parents, friends and alumni. Returning students were keen to share information and advice from their first-year at X. A similar event was held in Dartmouth last night for Halifax-area students and parents. Two very animated second-year students from rival houses Chillis and TNT got the students totally pumped for Frosh Week and the whole first-year experience. They demonstrated just how easy it is for new students to get swept up on the X-Spirit. (I only had to cover my ears twice.) Hats off to Ed and Shelly McHugh and the Halifax chapter executive for hosting a wonderful send-off! This Sunday's event in Moncton will wrap up this year's student send-offs. 10 DAYS 'TIL FROSH WEEK! Something new this year: The Alumni Association is sponsoring the Buddy BBQ on the first day of Frosh Week. We'll have a team of local alumni folks out, wearing very fashionable alumni aprons, and flipping those burgers. We don't want to waste any time in introducing our Frosh to the alumni network!

Hail and Health,

Helen

Counting down to Frosh Week

Students' Union VP Activities Corey Bradbury and VP Communications Neil Stephen dropped in to Alumni House today to talk about alumni support of Frosh Week and partnered activities for Homecoming weekend. It's so hard to believe it's only 16 days til Orientation Week starts! Our alumni have been doing their part in getting ready by holding some terrific student send-offs. I was thrilled to be able to take part in our send-offs in Edmonton, Vancouver and Saint John recently. Our grads are introducing new students to the X-Spirit before they ever step on campus. This introduction to the Xaverian family has a huge impact not only on our new recruits, but also their parents. Especially when they're coming from the other side of the Canada, meeting caring and enthusiastic alumni helps to put parents at ease about the community they're sending their kids to. Calgary also held a send-off this summer and similar events are planned for Halifax, Pictou County and Moncton. During Frosh Week the Alumni Association is getting involved by sponsoring the Buddy BBQ on the first day, Sunday, Sept. 2. We'll have alumni out serving up the burgers and dogs and introducing new students to the alumni network. During Homecoming, the Alumni Association is partnering with the Students' Union and Athletics for a pre-game concert and refreshment tent (all ages welcome) on Saturday, Sept. 29. This will be a terrific opportunity for alumni and students to mix and mingle. Homecoming 2007 is going to be lots of fun. I hope you're able to join us. If you haven't already done so, register for Homecoming on the X-Ring -- it's free and will get you a half-price ticket to the football game. Hail and Health, Helen PS The summer edition of AlumniNews is at the printer!