51吃瓜

Thoughtfully redesigned to help incoming students--and their families--feel even more confident, prepared, and connected as they begin an exciting new chapter in higher education, 51吃瓜鈥檚 (FSC) new 2025 orientation program was a marked success. 

The daylong program, offered to all incoming students throughout the summer, featured an enhanced schedule of workshops, presentations, and meaningful opportunities to connect with fellow new students. The event included a student support services resource fair, student conduct overview, breakout family session, student services panel discussion, campus tour, and a special introduction to the EMERGE Office of First Year and Transfer Year Experience--complete with a ballroom-sized icebreaker game of Kahoot. In addition, an extensive virtual orientation was held for incoming distance learning students. 

鈥淲e鈥檙e happy to share that about 90% of orientation participants said the program made them feel more confident in their decision to attend FSC,鈥� said Frank Rampello, assistant dean of students. 鈥淭he same percentage agreed that our staff made them feel welcome. We鈥檙e thrilled with this feedback.鈥�

This year鈥檚 orientation program also stood out for its student giveaways, multidepartment collaborative planning, invitation for family members to be included, record high transfer student registration, and a closing Playfair event, a 鈥渉igh-energy activity designed to help students meet new friends and start building connections from day one,鈥� added Rampello.

鈥淔or transfers, the change was clear, this summer drew more than 500 transfer student registrants,鈥� he said. 鈥淣ew student orientation numbers are on pace with last summer, but the biggest shift has been the hundreds of parents, caregivers, and siblings who joined in as well.鈥�

Throughout the program, FSC President Robert S. Prezant, PhD, Senior Vice President and Provost Sean Lane, PhD, and Vice President for Student Affairs Ronald C. Jackson, EdD, as well as faculty and staff representatives from across campus, welcomed students with support and encouragement.

鈥淎t Farmingdale we see more than grades. We notice how you鈥檙e performing, how you work, what your hopes and aspirations are. We are geared for helping you create your tomorrow,鈥� said President Prezant. 鈥淲elcome, I look forward to seeing all of you around campus.鈥� 

鈥淭oday starts your journey,鈥� said Lane. 鈥淚t's a day for you to act, to be curious, and to ask questions. Along your journey, you will find what you care about. What makes you curious鈥�things that can change the trajectory of your life and lead to exciting futures. And today is the beginning. Maybe it鈥檚 just a stirring, but there are embers of something meaningful.鈥�

鈥淭he entire FSC campus community is here to support you every step of the way,鈥� added Jackson. 鈥淵ou are not alone on this journey. Get ready to explore, make memories, and take the first steps toward becoming the student鈥攁nd person鈥攜ou aspire to be. This is your time, and we鈥檙e here to cheer you on as you grow, learn, and thrive.鈥�

Student perspectives
Emerson Galdamez, 鈥�29, an electrical engineering technology major, shared that he most enjoyed the day鈥檚 Student Activities Mini Club Fair. 鈥淚t was a good opportunity to learn about all the clubs and programs and hang out with other students,鈥� he said. 鈥淎nd you felt you could ask any and every question and knew [the campus representatives] would answer to the best of their ability. That鈥檚 what made it even better.鈥� 

For Elijah Ramkisto, 鈥�29, an architectural engineering technology major, the campus tour was a reassuring highlight. 鈥淚 liked going around and looking at all the buildings,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 feel like I have a better layout now. I thought the campus would be harder to traverse, and I didn鈥檛 think it would be this inclusive. It鈥檚 really friendly here and the staff have been so nice and helpful. I feel more confident now.鈥�

James Teague, 鈥�29, a business management major, agreed. 鈥淚 loved the tour,鈥� he said. 鈥淏eing able to see where my classes are, especially the School of Business building, that was very nice. I feel more prepared. Overall, I鈥檓 really impressed and looking forward to becoming a part of the community here.鈥�

Anna Varghese, 鈥�29, a nursing student, enjoyed 鈥渕aking new friends鈥� and discovering more about campus community resources. 

鈥淟earning about the Health and Wellness Center was the best part,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 amazing. There are so many services just there for you. It is so community oriented here, and I love that. [The staff] really showed that they are here for us.鈥�

鈥淚鈥檓 enjoying the Playfair,鈥� said Fiona Prunty, 鈥�29, a liberal arts and sciences major. 鈥淏eing able to chat with people the last hour has been really nice. And also, learning about the food options on campus. I didn't realize there were that many options!鈥�

鈥淵ou know, I haven't really been nervous, just anxious to get started,鈥� said John Arango, 鈥�29, a science, technology, and society (STS) major, who shared he had already met some fellow STS classmates. 鈥淚鈥檓 looking forward to the college experience, learning more, meeting new people. It's a whole different chapter feeling. I鈥檓 glad I came today.鈥�

To view more images from FSC's 2025 New Student and Family Orientation, please visit our . 

 

---