Chaplain, Counselor Step Up Efforts Madden Student Center Gets an Upgrade Welcome Back Students

NEWS AROUND CAMPUS Madden Student Center Gets an Upgrade

Madden Student Center sported a fresh look for student arrival this fall, thanks to the foresight and financial support from the 2019-2020 Student Assembly Executive Board. Comfortable couches in official D&E red and new tables replace previous furnishings, giving the area a more upbeat vibe. Each year, Student Assembly completes a capital project for the benefit of campus. With more than $17,000 in their budget, the group selected Madden Student Center.

“We wanted to create a lively, comfortable atmosphere for current students while also showing prospective students that Student Assembly is committed to making campus life better for all students,” said 2019-2020 Student Assembly President Richard Davy. “The new couches are more durable, easier to clean and a lot more comfortable.”

In making their plans, Student Assembly gathered input from other students and worked with Vice President for Student Affairs Scott Goddard to design the layout of the space and select furnishings. Additional assistance in the project came from Karen Ruberto, President of Nest Contract Furnishings, and Chris Simmons of Simmons Painting. “According to a survey of prospective college students conducted by admissions directors, most students decide if the college they are looking at will stay on their list after only 10 minutes of being on campus,” Goddard explained. “About 60 percent reported basing their college decision on the appearance of the buildings and landscape. Having a nice looking campus communicates to students that we care about them. “The recent Madden Student Center Game Room Project really brings all of this together,” Goddard said. “From a fresh coat of paint to new socially distanced furniture, this hot spot for student activity has definitely been improved.”

The 2019-2020 Student Assembly Executive Board provided funding and ideas for upgrades to Madden Student Center. From left are Doug Peterson, who is serving his second term as treasurer, former President Richard Davy ’20 and former Vice President Gabi Reynolds.

Welcome Back Students!

Director of Student Recruitment and Success Angie Scott serves student Seth Cain during the Last Night of Summer Carnival. The traditional celebration takes place on the evening before the first day of classes to welcome students back to campus with fun activities. This year, events were set up in various locations throughout campus. Roommates Lianna Smith, right, and Reina Sotelo Ramos unpack their D&E gift bags. At the start of the semester, each student received a drawstring bag that included a water bottle, hardbound journal and die cut stickers, all featuring the DEStrong logo designed specifically for the new academic year.

Freshmen Mia Ely and Edwin Shizhou Li paint picnic tables in Elkins City Park as part of New Student Orientation. For the second consecutive year, all first-year students are required to participate in a community service project during their first weekend on campus.