Nearly 3,000 new ISU students gathered this weekend to participate in Iowa State’s seventh annual Destination Iowa State event, designed to introduce new students to people, places and the university before the commencement of the new semester.

“The whole purpose of Destination Iowa State is to take away the fear of the unknown for incoming ISU students,” said Program Coordinator Jen Farrell. “It takes away the fear of moving in, not knowing anyone on campus and not knowing where classes are located.”

Planned activities for this year’s event included a community improvement project, academic-based sessions, a money management session, tours of campus and many other activities, Farrell said.

Team leaders agreed the program was a way to acclimate new students to the campus environment.

“Destination Iowa State is a great segue for new ISU students coming to this campus,” said team leader Ellery Segebart, senior in human and health performance.

New students were given the opportunity to meet other students, learn about aspects of the university and become more familiar with the greater Ames community before the start of the semester, said Carolyn Worth, senior in industrial engineering and New Student Programs Office employee.

The funding for the weekend’s events came from student orientation fees, Farrell said.

“This year’s program includes several minor changes, probably not apparent to new students coming in,” Worth said.

The university considers student feedback and makes various modifications to the program each year to make Destination Iowa State better and better, Farrell said.

To carry out the objectives of this year’s Destination Iowa State, nearly 300 current ISU students acted as team leaders, leading groups of approximately 10 new students in the event’s planned activities, Worth said.

“One thing our student leaders are emphasizing this year is the importance and benefits of a diverse campus environment,” Farrell said.

Worth offered some advice for all new students at Iowa State.

“Take advantage of your time at Iowa State, get involved and meet new people,” he said. “If you don’t, then you’re missing out because ISU has a lot of great programs and people, and offers a lot more than just an education.”