By: Alex Richardson
Another year, another class of freshmen who got the opportunity to take on Griffon Edge.
The class of 2021 got the privilege of becoming a strong foundation for future classes to come. From record-setting numbers to new traditions, there were many new surprises in store for the class.
Griffon Edge is a program that allows first-year students to get a real sense of what being a Griffon is like. Students were shown the ropes, given tips and advice and given an overall head start advantage to classes. This is a great opportunity for the new students to make friends and connections before the school year commences.
One of the greatest changes that took place at last year’s program was a change in management. Griffon Edge is directed predominantly by Western’s Events and New Student Coordinator, Marissa Steimel. With such little time to plan such a big program, Steimel looks to other offices and student organizations around campus for help and support.
Steimel said she worked with faculty, athletics, maintenance and other staff departments to set up crews for the campus wide event.
“I would not be able to make Griffon Edge happen if we didn’t have the entire university behind us on it,” Steimel said.
Aside from campus faculty, help was also called upon the nearly 60 Griffon Edge mentors. Each mentor was given a specific group of students to lead throughout the week and further on into the school year if needed. One Griffon Edge mentor was the Student Government Association President, Kyle Fuson.
This year was Fuson’s second year of being a mentor for the program and had only positive thoughts about the work that went into this year’s outcome.
“I had an awesome time being able to work with them [the students] at a more personal level, give them my advice and help them in their endeavors as a student,” Fuson said.
One of the most exciting events from Griffon Edge this year was the candlelight ceremony. During the ceremony Dr. Robert Vartabedian spoke under the clock tower before lighting the flame of academic freedom. Students lit their candles and passed it on to symbolize the start of their journey at Western.
Bayley Pickering, a freshman who attended Griffon Edge, said she was grateful for the friends that she made through Griffon Edge.
“I’ve made some really good friends that I’ve been able to see across campus,” Pickering said. “I even share some of the same classes with them and it’s just nice to have people in your class that you know.”
In the midst of all the madness and chaos, there was a total of 885 students who attended Griffon Edge and were prepared to start the school year. Together, the class of 2021 is ready to take on their first year of college and carry on the traditions they were a part of starting.
