CRESSON- Orientation is in full-swing at Mount Aloysius College. MAC Orientation leaders are busy being trained to guide students and parents through their first busy days of getting back into their academic groove. There are rules of the road with which to become familiar so MAC Orientation leaders can pass it on - but it’s not all work.  The Student Activities Office of Mount Aloysius College has arranged a very full slate of entertainment mixed into the rudiments of starting off a great academic year at The Mount.

Officially, Orientation begins on Thursday, August 16th. From 10:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. new students will be moving and checking in.  Arrivals will be officially welcomed at 2:00 p.m. by Mount Aloysius President Tom Foley, Vice President for Mission Integration Sr. Helen Marie Burns and Vice President for Student Activities Jane Grassadonia. In Alumni Hall at 3:00 p.m., former Mountie Troy Stende will speak on “College Student Success: What they don’t teach you in the classroom.”  Later, “He Said, She Said  - an interactive debate on relationships” will take place in Alumni Hall at 5:30 p.m. After dinner, students can enjoy the Black Light Casino in Cosgrave Center starting at 8:00 p.m. 

On Friday, Dr. Aaron Thompson will present “The Ripple Effect,” discussing diversity issues at 9:30a.m. During the day, students will have the opportunity to meet with academic advisors and learn about the MAC Library and Learning Commons. On Friday night students can relax to the sounds of the MVF Band in the Ihmsen Breezeway starting at 7:00 p.m. and get ready for the bonfire there at 9:00 p.m.  Meanwhile, Comedian Brian Moote will start tickling funny bones in Alumni Hall at 8:00 p.m.  

Saturday, August 18th, MAC students can participate in one of two community service Projects sponsored by the College’s Center for Community Engagement & Social Entrepreneurship. We will be working at a daycare owned by the YWCA in Jennerstown, and at the Saint Vincent DePaul Society in Johnstown. At 10:00 a.m., Jim Donovan will offer sounds of “Rhythmic  Motivation” as his drums give the morning a special beat. Starting at 2:00 p.m. in Cosgrave Dining Hall, “(Dis) Orientation” musical comedy skits about college life will entertain. Saturday night, also at Cosgrave, students can limber up at a Luau Dance starting at 8:00 p.m.

The Mount Aloysius College Welcome Week starts Sunday night, August 19th, as Hypnotist Chris Jones starts levitating the curious at Alumni Hall at 8:00 p.m. That Wednesday, MAC students will get their first look at college athletics as the NCAA Division III college offers a glimpse of the year to come in the Athletic and Wellness Center starting at 7:00 p.m. 

Welcome Week continues on Thursday, August 23rd  as Comedian Eric O’Shea shares his Blarney in Cosgrave Center starting at 9:0 p.m. Friday, August 24th, MAC students are invited to a “Glow Party” in historic Alumni Hall at 8:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday – August 25 and 26 -  MAC students will be playing kickball and crooning to Karaoke. Later that week, Vanishing Vinny will perform Wednesday, August 29th in Alumni Hall at 9:00 p.m. Friday, August 31st, at 5:00 p.m., gamers will duke it out in “The Ultimate Game Zone” in Cosgrave Center.