First-Year Program

Take adventures around Granville. While at times it may seem like you're in the middle of nowhere and/or Pleasantville, Granville has a lot to offer the occasional adventurer. Take a trip through the Granville Cemetery, where you'll find the graves of Civil War veterans, their wives, and others who have gone before us in Granville. Stroll through the gardens at the Buxton Inn, taking time to tell the ghost stories that haunt the inn's guest rooms. As I move on from this place, both Denison and Granville, I will most clearly miss the faculty, the campus, the education, and my friends; but also, I will miss the unique shops that line Broadway, the parks filled with so much beauty and history, and the welcome feeling of comfort and calm when walking through town or campus. There is so much more to college than what one can learn in the classroom or even in extracurricular activities; enjoy what's around you every chance you get!

Few "College for Dummies" books address what I call "dogsickness:" a particular homesick feeling for your dog. This nostalgia for your own pooch can be especially strong while watching Gravillians walk their doggie pals around town. The Honors Programs' annual Dog Wash proved to be the perfect remedy for my dogsickness. After an afternoon of watering, soaping, scrubbing, and drying the canines of the area, I was as happy (and dirty) as a dog.

You know those lists they give you with all the suggested items you bring to college? They forgot one. Don't worry... I'm going to let you in on the secret: Memory Foam. Sleep is about 1/3 of your life in the normal world. At Denison it's actually about 1/5 of your life. So, when you do get to go to bed, doesn't it just make sense for it to be the most comfortable place in the world? Get as many sets of memory foam as you can... your naps will thank you.

A word from the wise, don't ask for Beth Eden in the financial aid office. Beth Eden is the name of the building that houses the financial aid office.

If you ever want to stop and smell the roses, turn up the volume and dance, eat three different ice creams in one cone, stand around the flagpole and advocate for your rights, or go to the Homestead and spend the night then just do it. Life is too short so don't live with any regrets. The college classroom extends far beyond Knapp and the library so get ready for lifelong learning experiences that will undoubtedly happen everyday if you engage in the community here at Dension. P.S. don't forget to pee before you start any adventure - seriously!

I am really looking forward to meeting all of the first year students participating in June-O. I have had a great time at Denison and I want to ensure that future students have an even better experience while on campus. Get ready for the best four years of your life!

Affectionately known as the "Hillbilly" by close friends, I'm a rather eccentric country/farm boy who, probably because I drove a dirtbike through a house, scrambled my brains and now am interested in Environmental Consulting, Organizational Psychology and Young Men's Leadership. I would like to congratulate you on choosing to come to Denison and hopefully your new family for the next four years on this beautiful hill. My best suggestions: take pride in yourself, your background and what you have to offer, don't worry about a major, college is more than learning in a classroom, and the key to success is NETWORKING and doing what you LOVE!!!

When I came to Denison, my older sister Anne told me "College is like summer camp...except it gets cold." I would have to say that although college is a great deal more academically challenging then summer camp, it is just as fun! Welcome Class of 2012!!!

Hi, Class of 2012! My name is Hannah and I'm a junior from Kinsman, Ohio. When I came to JO, I thought I would be a Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE) major and that I would be very involved with the newspaper, club soccer, and other activities I did in high school. Two years later, I'm a sociology major with a communication minor and my activities (the Denison Community Association Cabinet, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Model UN) are also a little different than I imagined. College has a way of upending those expectations! I really enjoyed JO and I made some of my best friends on the Denison Service Orientation (DSO), another program sponsored by the Office of First-Year Students. I hope JO is a great introduction to life at Denison, and I really look forward to meeting all of you!

Take advantage of little disasters-they are what make life such an adventure. Here are two of my own little disaster experiences from my first year at Denison. On my friend's birthday, the lock on my door broke unexpectedly with a group of us stuck in my room. We had plans to go out for her birthday, but instead we threw her a birthday party trapped in my room, playing board games, taking photos, and sending out funny SOS letters to my RA through my door. Security and the locksmith had to work on taking off my door handle for two hours, but my friend still claims it was the best birthday party she has ever had. When a snowstorm came through Granville the day before I was supposed to leave for Spring Break, my flight to sunny Florida got cancelled. All of my friends who were also going to Florida made it out, but some of my soccer teammates were stranded with me. I moved my flight back a couple of days, and it was a part of the best team bonding experience ever. I'll never forget Spring Break '08 snowed in at Denison!

When I arrived for my June-O session two summers ago, I was handed a key to my dorm room in Smith, where I would stay for a night during the orientation program. After hauling my bag up to the third floor and unlocking the door, I was surprised to find only a tiny closet with nothing more than a wooden bedframe leaning against one of the walls. Apparently a mistake had been made and I didn't actually have to sleep in a closet by myself, so that was good. After all, mistakes happen and my mom and I got a good laugh out of my auspicious start to college.

When I arrived at DU I thought I would be a Biology major, but that later changed. I decided to follow my passion for people and issues of race, gender and media which led me to Communication. My advice for all of you is to follow your passion. Don't hold on to old expectations and miss what you really want to do. Also do not be afraid or too prideful to ask for help. Tutoring service is great. I am the Vice Chief of the Black Student Union, on the CRSB, I work in the Library and I minor in both dance and music. So come to Denison and just learn, grow and the years will fly by!!

There are a lot of deer in Granville. During my first semester, one looked like it was going to chase me. It didn't.

I used to be freaked out by the buzzards here at Denison, but now that I've gotten used to them, I kind of like them. Even when there are hundreds circling your head on the way to class or lined up on the roof of Swasey with their wings all spread out like vampires, I now see them as sort of endearing. They are just part of the many charms of the hill. Welcome to Denison Class of 2012! I can't wait to meet you.

Denison provides many opportunities to teach new skills and nurture old talents. And trust me, if you take advantage of these opportunities, by the time you graduate your list of abilities will be like a roll toilet paper: long and useful.

Although I love Denison for its great academics, I think I have enjoyed getting to know all the amazing people here even more. This spring my friend Becky and I developed the habit of going on long walks through the Granville area during the beautiful early summer evenings. We had some great conversations and adventures - like the time when we saw a rather big wildcat on the path ahead of us. Luckily, upon closer inspection it turned out to be a very friendly, normal sized family pet. I tell you - the twilight plays tricks on your eyes!