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ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Orientation Leaders are kept busy helping our incoming first-year students prepare for academic life. But a half dozen of them found time between showing new Panthers around our beautiful campus and introducing them to our diverse and talented faculty to answer the “Call of the Shiggy.”

The Instagram star known as “Shiggy” put out a call earlier this month for users to create their own dance videos to Drake’s “In My Feelings.” Drake’s song quickly went to #1 in the Billboard charts—and the ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Orientation team’s entry broke 52,000 views in under a week. Stephanie Cryan, ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ’s social media coordinator, conceived of the project and made it happen.

As the video went viral, the six dancers— Tyler Coyoc, Jacqueline Pascucci, Emily Seethaler, Chris Sokol, Matt Bustruc and Meghan Snowdale—shared with the world their school spirit and showed the enthusiasm and bonding that’s a part of Orientation at ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ.

Orientation isn’t just a formality at ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, it’s a pathway to a new life for our incoming students. They spend three days living in our residence halls and participating in on-campus activities. The new students also get their first taste of Panther Pride, learning to sing the alma mater and getting gold backpacks to take with them and start packing for the fall.

The Class of 2022 also received information about career services, student counseling, options to study abroad and other ways to make the most of their ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ experience. And, for the first time, the Orientation packets included a copy of , a newly published brochure we created that introduces ideas of diversity on campus and lays out club, organization mentorship and leadership opportunities for students of all genders, ethnicities, religions and backgrounds.

Even before Day One, we’re doing our best to put our students on a path to success and keep them there. Dancing is optional—but appreciated.