2025 Tartan 101 recap

ALLI WICHERT
PHOTOGRAPHER

MELANIE MATUSEK
STAFF WRITER

9/8/2025

On August 20 through August 24, Alma College welcomed incoming and transfer students to campus through their orientation program: Tartan 101. From first year guide (FYG) team meetings to hypnotists, Tartan 101 had events to cover all aspects of learning and fun. For those looking to remember the events, or for those who weren’t in attendance, here’s a synopsis.

Tartan 101 doesn’t begin on the day of freshman move-in, but rather months beforehand.

“Our senior first year guides stayed on campus over the summer and worked tirelessly to plan the event from start to finish,” said Laura Riegger, the Associate Director of Student Engagement.

They worked with numerous faculty members to get events in order. The week before students arrived, the 21 FYGs joined on campus to train in order to lead the new students.

Senior first year guides not only taught the new and returning FYGs about Title IX policies and the student handbook policies, but also how to lead the new students and handle any situation that may arise. “The training was long days, but the staff and other FYGs made it really fun,” said Alyssa Dickieson (‘27), one of the FYGs. 

Once training was completed, it was time for the new students to move in, and for Tartan 101 to begin.

Students and staff working towards planning the Tartan 101 schedule chose these events in order to balance the busy week ahead.

Fraternity and Sorority Life (FSL) assisted in planning and supporting these events. Many members of FSL volunteer during welcome week to take on part of the workload. This helps them make connections as well, for the upcoming recruitment season.

Hannah Peitsch (’22), the Assistant Director of Fraternity and Sorority Life and Leadership, said they chose events that are “fun” and “easy” to give students a break after move-in day.

The events with the largest turn-outs consisted of “Traditions Dinner, Glow Party & Silent Disco, Taste of Downtown, and Tartan Turn Up,” said Riegger. 

The largest-attended event this year, though, was the “Gateway to Gratiot Experience”. Students attended service opportunities and community events with their first year seminar classes in order to foster a sense of community.

Tartan 101 also consisted of some more serious elements that are integral to the transition to life on a college campus. These included several speaker presentations such as “Navigating Differences” with Jonathan Glenn and “The Naked Roommate” with Harlan Cohen.

“I enjoyed Tartan 101 because it gave me the opportunity to meet new people and learn more about the Alma community,” said Nico Di Ponio (’29).

Throughout Tartan 101, students traveled the campus and Alma to make connections and build their relationships. 

“Tartan 101 is more than just a welcome week; it’s the first step in becoming part of the Alma College community,” said Riegger.