Back to Current Students CURRENT STUDENTS

Orientation Staff

The Orientation Staff is made up of a group of energetic, dedicated and fun leaders who know first hand what it's like to be a WC student. Reflecting on each of their own personal experiences the Orientation Staff is ready to assist each new student with his/her concerns as they make the transition from High School to College.

 

Who makes up the Orientation Staff?

Tara L. Lydy, M.Ed.

Director for the Center for Service & Civic Engagement and New Student Orientation

tlydy@wilmington.edu
937-382-6661, Ext. 261

 

New Student Orientation Student Directors

937-382-6661, Ext. 261

Nick Elwert, Senior

  • Major: Biology, minor in Chemistry
  • Why WC? I chose to transfer to Wilmington due to the community atmosphere, the service opportunities, and the ability to go into the medical field.
  • What's your favorite class you've had? Any Biology class!
  • What campus organizations are you a part of?  Faith in Action, Chi Alpha, American Medical Student Association (AMSA)
  • What is your favorite thing to do on campus? One of my favorite things to do at WC is to serve at Sugartree Ministries.  
  • What are you most excited about for orientation? I am most excited to see students get acquainted with WC and begin to call Wilmington their home.
  • What advice do you have for incoming students? I would advise the incoming students to not take college for granted. This is a tremendous opportunity and each moment should be enjoyed.

Brianna Trubee, Senior

  • Major: Early Childhood Education, minor in History
  • Why WC? I attended a large, state university my freshmen and sophomore years and I was tired of being a number. Everyone at WC was so personable and I knew I needed to be a part of this campus community. It was one of the best decisions I've ever made!
  • What's your favorite class you've had? All of my education classes and Global Issues.
  • What campus organizations are you a part of? Faith in Action, Chorale, Voices in Praise (VIP) Gospel Choir, Educational Theatre Company (ETC), and I work in the Music Department
  • What is your favorite thing to do on campus? Spending time with friends and volunteering
  • What are you most excited about for orientation? I am excited to share my love of Wilmington College with the incoming students and show them all that campus has to offer!
  • What advice do you have for incoming students? Get involved and take advantage of everything that campus has to offer. Don't waste a minute because time flies!

 

 

Peer Advisors 2011

Saraya Arnold, Junior

  • Major: Agricultural Business, minor in Spanish
  • Why WC? I am studying Agriculture and I wanted a small school. Wilmington is one of 3 Ag. schools in the state.
  • What's your favorite class you've had? World Foods and Children's Literature
  • What campus organizations are you a part of? I am a member of DTS Lil Sis and I am a P.A. I also work 2 jobs on campus.
  • What is your favorite thing to do on campus? I love hanging out with my DTS Lil Sis sorority sisters.
  • What are you most excited about for orientation? Getting to know all of the new students and helping them enjoy their orientation as much as I did!
  • What advice do you have for incoming students? Always go into everything with an open mind and never say never!

Emily Ashbacher, Senior

  • Major: Biology with a concentration in Health Sciences, minor in Coaching
  • Why WC? Small class size
  • What's your favorite class you've had? Cell Biology
  • What campus organizations are you a part of? Swim team, Water Polo Club
  • What is your favorite thing to do on campus? Spending time with friends
  • What are you most excited about for orientation? Getting to know all the new Freshmen
  • What advice do you have for incoming students? Focus on academics, but make sure to devote time each week to hanging out with friends.

Miles Bankston, Junior

  • Major: Sport Management Administration, minor in Coaching
  • Why WC? It was a small school and to play basketball.
  • What's your favorite class you've had?  Intro to Management with Steve Stovall
  • What campus organizations are you a part of? Activities Programming Board (APB) and Black Student Initiative (BSI)
  • What is your favorite thing to do on campus? APB events!
  • What are you most excited about for orientation? Meeting the new students and helping them in any way possible.
  • What advice do you have for incoming students? Get to know your professors very well.

Danielle Berger, Junior

  • Major:  Agricultural Business, minor in Equine
  • Why WC? The Agriculture program!
  • What's your favorite class you've had?  Psychology with Mary Rose
  • What campus organizations are you a part of? Aggies, 4-H, Psi Alpha Psi Sweethearts, Equine team
  • What is your favorite thing to do on campus?  Hang out with my sorority sisters or ride my horse at the equine barn.
  • What are you most excited about for orientation? Meeting the new students.
  • What advice do you have for incoming students? It's ok to be afraid and scared, but stick it out. It gets better!

Dan Bunnell, Sophomore

  • Major: Criminal Justice
  • Why WC? Smaller college that has really good people.
  • What's your favorite class you've had? Any Joyce Dozier class.
  • What campus organizations are you a part of?  Tau Kappa Beta fraternity
  • What is your favorite thing to do on campus? Well, I don't really have just one, but I would have to say I love hanging out with my TKB brothers, playing Xbox, and working out in the gyms at the college.
  • What are you most excited about for orientation?  I am most excited about seeing what students I'm going to have in my group.
  • What advice do you have for incoming students? Just take time and get to know people on campus, and don't be afraid of doing campus activities!

Emily Ferguson, Senior

  • Major: Psychology/Social and Political Studies with a concentration in Pre-Law
  • Why WC?  It is close to home and it has a very warm, friendly atmosphere.
  • What's your favorite class you've had? Any psychology class with Mary Rose.
  • What campus organizations are you a part of?  Psi Beta Omega sorority, APB, Service Leadership Executive Board (SLEB), Relay for Life, Dance Marathon, Order of Omega, Student Alumni Association (SAA).
  • What is your favorite thing to do on campus?  Going to all the different activities held on campus with my friends.
  • What are you most excited about for orientation? Meeting all of the new students at Wilmington College!
  • What advice do you have for incoming students?  Plan out your school work and life will be a lot easier for you!

Charles Hirtzinger, Sophomore

  • Major: Athletic Training, minor in Coaching  
  • Why WC? My major.
  • What's your favorite class you've had? Emergency Care
  • What campus organizations are you a part of?  Tau Kappa Beta fraternity and Tennis
  • What is your favorite thing to do on campus? Hanging with my friends.
  • What are you most excited about for orientation? Meeting all of the Freshmen.
  • What advice do you have for incoming students? Have an open mind about everything because you will meet all kinds of different people.

Britney Lipps, Sophomore

  • Major: Biology
  • Why WC? When I visited, it felt like home.
  • What's your favorite class you've had? Chorale
  • What campus organizations are you a part of? Psi Beta Omega, Student Alumni Association (SAA), Dance Marathon
  • What is your favorite thing to do on campus? Hang out with my friends.
  • What are you most excited about for orientation? Meeting everyone! 
  • What advice do you have for incoming students? Have fun!

Megan McDonough, Sophomore

  • Major: International Studies and Theatre, minor in Music
  • Why WC? Personable atmosphere and the academic opportunities.
  • What's your favorite class you've had? Global Issues
  • What campus organizations are you a part of? STAND, Chi-Alpha, Chorale, Theatre, Educational Theatre Company (ETC), Faith in Action, Honors Program
  • What is your favorite thing to do on campus? Go to Jen's Deli (downtown) to get breakfast before class.
  • What are you most excited about for orientation? Meeting the freshmen and seeing freshmen year through their eyes.
  • What advice do you have for incoming students?  Relax and have fun. College is awesome!

Chelsea Meckstroth, Sophomore

  • Major: Early Childhood Education 
  • Why WC? I felt like it was the place for me, and I wanted to come for basketball.
  • What's your favorite class you've had? Health, Safety, and Nutrition in Early Childhood
  • What campus organizations are you a part of?  Basketball
  • What is your favorite thing to do on campus? Attend all of the events WC puts on.
  • What are you most excited about for orientation? Getting to know new faces and helping others adjust.
  • What advice do you have for incoming students? Give it a chance.

Sam Nieves, Junior

  • Major: Psychology and Social/Political Studies, minor in Peace Studies
  • Why WC? It was the school I liked the best and I wanted to run.
  • What's your favorite class you've had? Psychology of Personality
  • What campus organizations are you a part of? Cross Country, Track and Field, STAND, Lambda Chi Alpha
  • What is your favorite thing to do on campus? Have events with the fraternity.
  • What are you most excited about for orientation? Meeting new people.
  • What advice do you have for incoming students? Keep your cool, ask a lot of questions, and seek help. Don't try to do it all alone.

Kara Pontones, Junior

  • Major: Agricultural Business and Communication Arts
  • Why WC? Small community, personable and welcoming professors.
  • What's your favorite class you've had? Public Speaking and Meat Science
  • What campus organizations are you a part of? Aggies/4-H
  • What is your favorite thing to do on campus? Socialize with all the awesome students
  • What are you most excited about for orientation? Meeting all of the incoming freshmen.
  • What advice do you have for incoming students? Try new things, be open-minded, and don't be afraid to ask for help.

Shelby Riffel, Junior

  • Major: Agricultural Business
  • Why WC? WC has a great Ag. program.
  • What's your favorite class you've had? All of my Ag. classes.
  • What campus organizations are you a part of? Greek Life
  • What is your favorite thing to do on campus? Hang out with my sorority sisters.
  • What are you most excited about for orientation? Meeting new people!
  • What advice do you have for incoming students? Don't sit in your room and get homesick. Get involved on campus because it will make your time at Wilmington worthwhile!

Gus Stevastos, Sophomore

  • Major: English and Adolescent Young Adult (AYA) Education
  • Why WC? You could say it was "love at first sight".
  • What's your favorite class you've had? Public Speaking and Educational Psychology
  • What campus organizations are you a part of? Tau Kappa Beta, Honors Program
  • What is your favorite thing to do on campus? Hang out with friends.
  • What are you most excited about for orientation? Meeting new people!
  • What advice do you have for incoming students? Don't panic! Everything will seem crazy at first, but it will work out!

Sam Smith, Junior

  • Major: Chemistry
  • Why WC? The professors
  • What's your favorite class you've had?Chemistry 
  • What campus organizations are you a part of? Veterinarians of Tomorrow (VOT), Tau Kappa Beta (TKB), and Wilmington College Science Society (WCSS)
  • What is your favorite thing to do on campus? Taking walks in the arboretum
  • What are you most excited about for orientation? Getting to meet new students
  • What advice do you have for incoming students? Work hard, don't slack, and have fun 

 

Leslie Stiffler, Sophomore

  • Major: Animal Science
  • Why WC? I liked the fact that it was small and personalized. I felt that I could really get the help I needed here, I wouldn't just be a number.
  • What's your favorite class you've had? Piano I. I loved trying something new!
  • What campus organizations are you a part of? Faith in Action, College 4-H, Aggies, Chi-Alpha, and STAND
  • What is your favorite thing to do on campus? I like to just walk around in the afternoon and join in on volleyball games or play frisbee with people who are out. I also like to attend the APB events.
  • What are you most excited about for orientation? Getting to meet new people.
  • What advice do you have for incoming students? Don't pass judgment on others too quickly. Take the time to get to know them. You are going to meet a lot of diverse people and many of them will not think the same way you do, but be accepting because you will get to know great people!

Grace Thompson, Junior

  • Major:  Chemistry
  • Why WC? It is close to home and I love the atmosphere.
  • What's your favorite class you've had? Basic Photography
  • What campus organizations are you a part of? Peer Advisor
  • What is your favorite thing to do on campus? Hang out with friends
  • What are you most excited about for orientation? Getting to meet all the fresh, new faces.
  • What advice do you have for incoming students? Have fun and study hard.

Jessica Veite, Senior

  • Major: Chemistry and Biology
  • Why WC? Scholarships and Tennis
  • What's your favorite class you've had?  IDS 396: Philippines
  • What campus organizations are you a part of? Tennis, Science Society, American Medical Student Association (AMSA)
  • What is your favorite thing to do on campus? Hang out with friends.
  • What are you most excited about for orientation? Getting to meet all of the new students.
  • What advice do you have for incoming students? Just be yourself!

Ben Vonderhaar, Sophomore

  • Major: Sport Management with a concentration in Wellness, minor in Coaching
  • Why WC? Academics and the Athletic Program
  • What's your favorite class you've had? Psychology with Mary Rose
  • What campus organizations are you a part of? Basketball
  • What is your favorite thing to do on campus? Play hoops outside when it's nice.
  • What are you most excited about for orientation? Meeting the new students.
  • What advice do you have for incoming students? Start out strong and don't get too lazy.

Melinda Weaver, Sophomore

  • Major: Biology and Animal Science
  • Why WC? Agriculture
  • What's your favorite class you've had? Crop and Animal Science II
  • What campus organizations are you a part of? 4-H, Aggies, Veterinarians of Tomorrow
  • What is your favorite thing to do on campus? Hanging out with friends
  • What are you most excited about for orientation? Meeting the new people and having an impact on them.
  • What advice do you have for incoming students? Don't be afraid to be yourself!