610 new students, 100-plus upper-year Gurus, six jam-packed days, and all at one school. This is Ivey O-Week 2016.
The HBA Class of 2018 started their journey as Ivey students last week, and our upper-year volunteer “Gurus” worked tirelessly to make it as smooth a transition as possible. They organized the annual Ivey Orientation Week – a week of both academic and social activities – to welcome our new students with open arms.
Purple and proud: Transfer Day
Although most of our HBA1s came from Western University, there are lots of students new to Western’s campus. Coming from 16 different universities, transfer students got acquainted with their new home on September 1. They toured the campus, learned about Ivey’s HBA Program, and sampled the fare at Western’s campus eatery, The Spoke.
The official kickoff: Opening Gala
Breakfast is served, and so are section assignments! Opening Gala is the first time all 610 HBA1 students get together in one room. Held at the London Convention Centre, the event kicked off with speeches from Head Guru Carly Armstrong, Dean Bob Kennedy, HBAA President Stefan Losberg, HBA Program Director Mary Weil, and keynote speaker and HBA alumnus Craig Follett.
“This is your life. It’s no one else’s,” Follett said to the class. “Be you, and be unique.”
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Let the games begin: Ivey Fair
HBA1 students ditched their business digs and opted for athletic wear at Saturday’s Ivey Fair. The all-day event got the new students active with rounds of dodgeball, tug-of-war… and did we mention giant, inflatable obstacle courses?
Time to unwind: Ivey Palooza
At Ivey Palooza, our new students assembled time capsules with their section mates, watched the upper-year Gurus perform a talent show, and played some Vegas-inspired games (with the bonus of using Monopoly money branded with Guru faces).
So what is a case class anyway?: Ivey Bootcamp
Now that the students were comfortable, it was time for them to learn. On Labour Day, HBA1s were prepped on academic expectations at Ivey Bootcamp and got a glimpse into what the upcoming year will have in store for them.
Just keep swimming: Beach Day
Photo from HBA student JJ Mack.
After an entire week of getting to know each other and the School, it’s time for the HBA Class of 2018 to take a much needed break! To finish off their Orientation Week, the class will set off for Port Stanley Beach on Friday to soak up the sun.
Meet the HBA Class of 2018
- 610 students
- Born in 39 different countries
- Studied 49 academic programs at 17 universities (including Western University)
