285 New Students Welcomed into the MSW Program
Academic life is full of yearly rituals and traditions, some marking beginnings and others marking transitions. One such tradition at Jane Addams is the Orientation and Welcome Reception for new MSW students beginning their journey in social work.
This year, the college welcomed 285 new MSW students into its ranks, and on Wednesday, August 23, over 200 of those students packed an auditorium for orientation.
Dean Hairston warmly welcomed the students, noting, “I hope you are excited to be here, because you were competitively selected to be in this program. There were about four applications for every available slot, so I hope you know that you are special. You’re special because of what you bring and because of your commitment to the Jane Addams legacy, and the Jane Addams mission of advancing social, racial and economic justice.”
She then became more serious, drawing on recent events in the news. “After what we have witnessed in Charlotte and in other cities, we know that we need advocates for social justice,” she said. “And you are those advocates, so we join together in this collaborative mission.”
Following the Dean’s remarks were presentations on available health coverage and other crucial services and information that will support our new students during their time at the college.
All were then invited to a reception with refreshments and snacks. The air was filled with laughter and conversation as the new students met faculty and staff, and began getting to know one another.
With this yearly ritual the Jane Addams family has grown to include these emerging social workers, as they prepare to advocate for the voiceless and to make their impact in social justice.