A welcome from President Geoffroy kicked off a weekend of

learning, mingling and touring for thousands of first-year ISU

students participating in Destination Iowa State.

Over four days, the class of 2005 and transfer students roamed

the campus in small groups, trailing after student leaders and

soaking in the tips and traditions they will need to know to survive

at Iowa State.

“It’s just something great for the students to have as a tool for their

success here at ISU,” said Todd Foley, Destination Iowa State

adviser.

“Every year, it is going to get better and it will evolve over time.”

Destination Iowa State was implemented three years ago to help

freshmen adapt to life at Iowa State.

The program, formerly known as New Student Days, teams up

students with 10 other freshmen and transfer students and a peer

leader for four days.

This year’s event consisted of about 2,800 students and 300

upperclassmen leaders, said Foley, graduate student in

educational leadership and policy studies.

Student leaders said they felt the students were very eager to learn

more about Iowa State. Shay Robbins, sophomore in horticulture,

said being a leader was a great experience.

“I was just doing this to help people and meet new people to party

with,” he said.

Patrick Hoffelmeyer, freshman in pre-journalism and mass

communication, participated in the kickoff picnic at Scheman

Courtyard Thursday. He said he enjoyed his Destination Iowa

State experience.

“[It] helps you get a better feel for campus,” he said.

Despite the social activities in the Destination Iowa State lineup,

students like Christopher Brown, freshman in computer

engineering, know Iowa State isn’t all fun and games.

“We are just here to get an education,” he said.

Tekara Stewart, freshman in apparel merchandising, design and

production, said she participated so she could learn more about

the university and the campus.

“I just want to expand my horizons here,” she said.