The Otterbein Summer Orientation, Advising, and Registration (SOAR) welcomes new students to campus each year for information sessions and activities to make their transition to Otterbein a smooth one. This year, the SOAR team is preparing to host more than 600 new Cardinals over six orientation days from June until August. The next sessions will be on July, 9, 21, and 23.

After moving to a virtual program in 2020, Orientation Leaders (OL) are eager to host sessions on campus this year. Here are a few OLs giving a look into what new Cardinals can expect with SOAR and also what they love the most about their orientation role.

What can students expect to experience during Orientation? New students should expect a lot of information to be given to them when they attend Orientation. They receive important material like their Common Book and their first semester’s schedule. They will have their picture taken for their Cardinal ID, which they’ll need on campus. Besides that, they should also should expect to spend the day with several OLs who help in giving tools for transitioning to college.

Why is SOAR helpful to incoming students? In my own experience as first year as well as someone involved with putting together Orientation, I would say that SOAR is extremely helpful in encouraging new students to make connections, which is such an important thing when starting at a new place. The program is designed to introduce the new students not only to faculty and staff on campus, but also to other new students.

What is your favorite part of SOAR? My favorite part of SOAR this year is seeing the growth of the OLs from last semester to now. Seeing them not only have fun but make those connections with new students makes me feel very hopeful that they are doing good work and making an impact. When I walk around and see the OLs with their group of students, and I see that everyone is smiling and laughing I just feel so proud and am glad I got to see them when they started and where they are now.

Whitney Burton ’22, Orientation Coordinator

What can students expect to experience during Orientation? Orientation has different elements to it: they meet with their advisor, they spend the day with their ‘family’ where they have the opportunity to meet other incoming first years, and have questions answered by orientation leaders.

Why is SOAR helpful to incoming students? SOAR is important for so many reasons. Practically, it is where you make your schedule and your receive your student ID, but it’s also the first time that most students are on campus as an Otterbein student! This is the chance to start the next four years on a fun and positive note.

What is your favorite part of SOAR? My favorite part of SOAR is meeting all of my ‘family’ members and getting to know each of them. I also love our “for the students by the students” session where incoming first years can ask current students any questions they want with no faculty or staff in the room.

Riley Seielstad ’23, OL

What can students expect to experience during Orientation? New students can expect to learn more about their campus, community, and classes. Orientation will help start them on their path at Otterbein but it’s to them to decide where they fit in that community.

Why is SOAR helpful to incoming students? SOAR is helpful for students who don’t know anything about Otterbein, students who know everything about Otterbein, and everyone in between. We cover a wide variety of topics that will help you settle in at Otterbein and give you a chance to meet your classmates. 

What is your favorite part of SOAR? My favorite part of SOAR is getting to meet all the new Cardinals and help them find their new home at Otterbein!

Aidan Tansey ’22, OL