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Undescribable.
Crazy.
Friendly.
Awesome.
Hot.
Amazing.
Amazing.
At the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, we
throw a great welcome party.
Where I started college, we didn't have any rah-rah, we
didn't have any Hawk Squad, we didn't have any entertainment.
My orientation lasted 15 minutes.
Incoming freshmen get to experience Club U-Dub-Dub,
a two-day whirlwind of welcome activities.
I just got done racing some pigs.
Unfortunately, I didn't win.
I'm really excited.
It should be fun.
I hope I can do a flip.
You just feel like you're part of the family.
It's comforting.
It's not so scary being a freshmen with
all, everyone here.
Everyone's new.
Meeting new people.
I'm a real social person, so I'm excited to
make new friends.
I just really like meeting a lot of new people, and there's
a whole lot of new people here that I don't know.
Getting to know people, the University, and getting to
know yourself is at the heart of Club U-Dub-Dub.
There's one thing you have to figure out quickly while you're
here that determines if you're ever successful out there.
It all boils down to three little words - do your thing.
Peer mentors lead the way, taking freshman on tours of
campus, preparing them for university life, and getting
them pumped about the future.
You get closer to your group and your peer mentor, and then
you know if you get lost on campus you just call them
and they can help you.
Or they can introduce you to other people, give you the
insider about each class and teachers, that kind of stuff.
It's just a really good friend to make.
I want to be a peer mentor next year now, because she was good.
She could get a good influence on me.
Spirit runs high -- enough to start a rally.
The freshman class this year has really stepped it up.
They've got a lot of spirit, a lot of purple paint,
and they're just really delivering a program.
By the end of Club U-Dub-Dub, a new class of Warhawks leaves
its mark on the University, literally, and answers the
question, "Are you purple?"
They made you feel like you belong here and
it was just great.
I got to do stuff and kind of get out of my little bubble and
meet a bunch of new people.
At first, I thought I wouldn't like it, but it was fun.
We did a lot of stuff.
I met a lot of people.
Everything here, you only get to do once in a lifetime.
And you know, how many schools paint a road purple?
Nobody.
Just Whitewater.
We know the paint on the road won't stay forever, but we want
the memory of this night and what they did as a freshman
class to be a memory they'll always have.
And now I'm going to give you a final exam.
And unlike your professors here, I'll give you
the answer right now.
It's one word -- mine, m-i-n-e.
I want to hear you scream it as Yoda comes to the questions.
Ready?
Whose education is this?
Mine!
Say it louder!
Whose dream career is this?
Mine!
Say mine damn it!
Whose life is this now?
Mine!
Then do your thing.
In all the euphoria, the Chancellor doesn't want student
to miss an important message.
I expect you to finish your degree.
This is why you're here.
I look forward to shaking your hand at commencement some
four years from now.
You will be amazed at how much you will have changed
between now and graduation.
Have a fantastic first year experience.