More than 600 new freshmen and transfer students officially became Neumann Knights on Friday, August 23, when they began orientation weekend.

Commuters checked in and had their first college meeting in the Thomas A. Bruder, Jr. Life Center. Residents --assisted by parents, siblings, and dozens of volunteers from Neumann athletic teams and the COR team -- carted clothing, TV sets, computers and other necessary items into the Living and Learning Center complex. The move-in operation started at 9 a.m. and lasted until 4 p.m.

Saturday offered a full slate of activities from the opening convocation in the Mirenda Center for Sport, Spirituality and Character Development and a picnic lunch to special sessions for parents and a Eucharistic liturgy in Our Lady of Angels Chapel.

The convocation audience was treated to a presentation by Dr. Alfred Poor, entitled "Take Charge of Your Destiny, Starting Today." Dr. Poor asked Neumann’s new university men and women to remember five brief admonitions:

Parent sessions on Saturday include workshops on athletics, career development, co-curricular opportunities, INT 101 (the first college course), parent involvement opportunities, spiritual and service learning opportunities, and study abroad.

A variety of university offices were open on Friday (8 a.m. to 6 p.m.) and will have Saturday hours (10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.) to accommodate new students and their families. The University Store will be open all three days (Sunday from 12-5 p.m.) for textbook purchases.