UNT's First Flight Week, Howdy Week traditions continue this month

UNT will usher in the new academic year with a festive fortnight of events known as First Flight Week and Howdy Week. The events provide opportunities for faculty and staff to interact with students outside the classroom.

"It's important for students to see the commitment and support of faculty and staff at the start of each year, and it's important for us to assist students in making connections with our campus community," says Amy Ayres, University Union assistant director for campus events.

First Flight Week, tailored for freshmen, begins on Aug. 21, a week before classes start. It introduces new students to the various services provided by UNT departments and student organizations.

"Faculty should definitely attend and participate in First Flight Week because it is a great way to see what departments and student organizations are planning for the upcoming year," says Brooke Wilson, campus events assistant. "It is also a great way to meet new students." 

Events include departmental open houses with free food, a luau at College Inn, a Mocktail Happy Hour, a spirit dance at the Library Mall, drawings for prizes from the UNT Book-store and more.

Since 1982 Howdy Week has coincided with the first week of fall classes, welcoming new and returning students to campus.

This year Howdy Week begins with the seventh annual Mean Green Fling, a carnival-style celebration featuring live music, games and food. The Fling runs from 6 to 10 p.m. Aug. 28 at the Library Mall.

The remainder of the week includes informational programs, such as an Eagle Information Tent on the Campus Green, and entertainment, such as the Welcome Back Smash in the Union Syndicate featuring live music, free food and mechanical bull riding.

The organizers of Howdy Week have introduced some new events this year to welcome back students, including a Texas Hold 'Em Tournament to determine the best poker player on campus and a Karaokefest.

Howdy Week will end Sept. 1 with the annual Mean Green Pep Rally and Cookout to kick off the football season. The event begins at 6 p.m. at Fouts Field.

For exact dates and times of Howdy Week and First Flight Week events, visit www.unt.edu/sac. For more information, contact Ayres in student development at (940) 565-3825 or aayres@unt.edu.

BY BRANDON EVANS inhouse@unt.edu

Other featured articles in this issue

• New InHouse@UNT format to launch in September
• Administrators to propose 2 percent merit raise pools for UNT faculty and staff
• Regents to discuss campus plans for Denton and Dallas at August meeting
• UNT to use multimillion-dollar bequest to fund unique research of behavior analysis
• UNT opens Honors College for Fall 2005
• Exhibit about UNT's branding process opens this month
• UNT summer commencement is Saturday
• About the commencement speaker
• Win a trip to Baton Rouge on UNT's Regal Eagle bus

homepage