TTU Welcomes Back Students For First Day Of Class

Today was the first day of classes at Tennessee Tech University.

Student Engagement Assistant Vice President Benjamin Stubbs said over 10,000 students began a new school year.

“There’s a wonderful energy,” Stubbs said. “We have so many students on campus walking around and coming to the events and activities. Our residence halls are completely full. New students and returning students alike you can just tell they are excited for a great year.”

Stubbs said all students matter, but there is an added emphasis for first-time freshmen. Stubbs said engaging those students while also making them feel welcome is a vital part of the first day.

“They’ll be so much more comfortable in the classroom and so much more likely to reach out to resources if they feel welcomed and if they feel connected to the university,” Stubbs said. “We do a number of things to make them feel welcome. We had members of our student organizations volunteer to help them move in. They filled over 700 shifts, and we had offices with extended hours.”

Stubbs said daily activities have been scheduled this week as a part of the university’s Week of Welcome. Stubbs said this weekend is College Town Weekend which is a program designed to encourage students to explore Cookeville.

‘We’re so excited to connect Cookeville with Tennessee Tech,” Stubbs said. “Cookeville is Tennessee’s college town. The weekend’s program will help students learn about things happening on campus and in the community on the weekends, explore the Upper Cumberland area and to take advantage of the opportunities our Tech pride partners offer in terms of discounts.”