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Nearly everything has changed. Replacing carpet and old overstuffed furniture are hardwood floors, comfortable seating, a granite refreshment bar, café tables and textures in copper and gold colors all around. “It shows people how welcome they are, how much we appreciate them visiting, and want to give them a stellar experience,” Andrew Leister, who is a senior and also serves as a staff member at the Welcome Center, relates. Angie Huff, another staff member, agrees, “It’s very professional and welcoming.” “We wanted to make it high-end, to match our premium education and atmosphere,” says Zander. Upon entering, visitors are greeted by the Welcome Center staff wearing sunshine-colored polo shirts (in the warmer months) with easily viewable name tags, and long-sleeved black polos, fleece vests and gold scarves (in the cooler months). Andrea Baker, manager of the center staff, says, “There are always student workers available to offer directions, refreshments, information, and just mingle and make the visitors comfortable.” Visitors are given a pack of information, tailored to their individual interests. Then the students and families have some time to read through the materials, relaxing at the copper patterned tables or on a comfortable couch in the parlor. The visitors can also go online at one of the four computer portals de-
signed for their use to check email, peruse the Millersville website and view the blogs with submissions from current students. The University has also added a refreshment counter with coffee, tea, hot chocolate and cold Marauder water available to guests. Special cookies in the shape of the Millersville swans are given to the visiting families. Behind the refreshment counter is a large mural, done in pen and ink, highlighting points of interest around the campus. Two student artists who graduated in 2008, Nadine Kern and Brandon Martin, created the mural. In the parlor, a television mounted on the wall scrolls through trivia and information about Millersville University and introduces the student Welcome Center team. “When prospective students make appointments to visit, we make sure their names are added to the TV scroll for that day,” Braungard says, “so that while they’re perusing the material and relaxing in the parlor, they see their name up on the screen welcoming them. It’s those little personal touches that can make a visitor and their family feel at home here.” Jaclyn Nash, a prospective student visiting in August from West Grove, says, “It’s nice, and makes me feel welcome.”
WINTER 2008-09
Top, a mural highlighting points of interest on campus was created by two Millersville students. Above, Before the tours begin, a brief presentation provides an overview about the University.
Lindsey Myers, another prospective student visiting the same day from Dover, comments that “the colors are nice; I came in open minded and I like what I see.” Before the campus tour, visitors watch a 30-minute presentation about the University, to help in their decision making process. Following the video presentation, the groups of visitors are taken on a tour of the campus by the student workers. Although the tour guides are well-versed about the University, admissions wanted the guides to know about area venues.
“I t ’s those little personal touches that can make a visitor and their family feel at home here.” ELIZABE TH BRAUNGARD
“We hear from many students that they want things to do both on and off campus,” Zander remarks. “Lancaster city and the robust cultural opportunities that exist in the area are elements of the campus visit that we are stressing to our visitors.” As part of their training, the tour guide staff of the Welcome Center visits a number of area attractions including Lancaster’s Central Market and the Fulton Opera House. Also included in their orientation program are stops at popular spots such as Miller’s Smorgasbord, and briefings with the Pennsylvania Dutch Convention and Visitors Bureau about local activities and attractions. “The benefits of being a part of this vibrant community are many, and we wanted to make sure our prospectives are educated in everything about Millersville, including the local connections,” Braungard explains. With the revamping of the Welcome Center, the whole process of a campus
COVER STORY
visit has been enhanced. Visitors coming to campus for the first time will experience a place they will not soon forget.
Right, Student tour guides can be recognized by their black and gold apparel. Below, The welcome sign says it all. Bottom, The parlor features comfortable seating for families as well as a flat screen TV and computer stations.
“ The colors are nice; I came in open minded and I lik e what I see.” J A C LY N N A S H
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