Inaugural Truman Experience Weekend Surpasses Goal

More than 200 students and their families registered to attend the first Truman Experience Weekend, March 22-23.

A new twist on traditional college visits, the Truman Experience Weekend offered multiple opportunities for future students and their families to discover what Truman has to offer. Flexible scheduling allowed for guests to personalize their visit and make the most of their time on campus through tailored presentations, special events and personal interactions.

“Instead of everyone attending the same presentations, students and families had an opportunity to select which activities to try,” said Tyana Lange, vice president of student engagement, enrollment and marketing. “There was no obligation to attend everything. By spacing events out over two days, we gave guests a bigger window to learn about the aspects of college life that appeal to them.”

Including family members, approximately 500 visitors were estimated to be on campus at some point during the weekend. Guests had the opportunity to take tours of campus, learn about academic departments from faculty members, hear from current students and tour rooms in the residence halls. Other activities included an alumni panel discussion, a show in the planetarium, a sampling of on-campus dining options and a performance by comedian Gianmarco Soresi sponsored by the Student Activities Board.

“We wanted to create an environment where prospective students could actively participate in some things on campus,” said Allison Schweizer, director of admissions. “The goal was to show our amazing students and campus in an energetic and fun way so prospective students could picture themselves as bulldogs.”

Current students were also able to participate in the activities. There was a photo booth in Ryle Hall, as well as a photo contest open to all students. By tagging the Truman Instagram in a selfie with Spike, students were entered to win a prize.

The Center for Diversity and Inclusion sponsored the Connect Challenge where trivia questions were posted to Instagram throughout the weekend. Getting all eight questions correct made students eligible to win one of 15 prizes.

The Truman Experience Weekend is the newest addition to the variety of visit options for prospective students. The University continues to conduct individual in-person visits, complete with campus tours, every weekday. Other arrangements can be made for special circumstances, and Truman also offers donor-sponsored visit options for families that may need assistance with any associated costs.

Building off of the success of the first event, the University will offer another Truman Experience Weekend in the fall, Nov. 1-2. Details for that event will be posted at truman.edu/experience as they become available. For more information, contact the Admissions Office at 660.785.4114 or admissions@truman.edu.