College students are back in Emporia and the community once again welcomed them with open arms and open doors Monday night in downtown Emporia.
The annual Welcome Back Block Party filled the majority of the downtown corridor with local organizations and businesses taking the opportunity to introduce or reintroduce themselves to the local student population. Emporia Main Street Director Casey Woods says it is important to always make a good first impression and this is how the community accomplishes that year after year.
Emporia City Manager Trey Cocking was on hand for the event, saying the location of the block party is always great because it lets students get the full downtown experience and hopefully makes them want to keep coming back for more.
As always, leadership of local institutions was on hand for the event, including Emporia State University provost Brent Thomas, who says there is nothing quite like the start of a new school year.
FHTC President Dr. Caron Daugherty says the college loves the event because it is a tremendous resource for connecting students to the community and the community to the students.
Welcoming activities will continue on the ESU campus throughout the week and will include a poster invasion sale in the ESU Memorial Student Union from 10:30 am to 6:30 pm as well as a Greek Life info session from 6 pm to 7 pm at the Preston Family Room on Tuesday.
Wednesday will have the student engagement expo from 10 am to 2 pm at the Memorial Union and free bowling starting at 7 pm. A change to the schedule this year will see the evening football practice, typically held after the Welcome Back Block Party, take place at 7 pm Thursday at Welch Stadium.
Welcome activities will conclude Friday with the Party on the Lawn event from 5 pm to 7:30 pm at Kellogg Circle. For more information on welcome back activities, be sure to visit Emporia.edu/student-life.
Click here for a YouTube short of the Welcome Back Block Party.
Photos by Tagan Trahoon/KVOE News
