After months of preparation, hundreds of staff and student volunteers saw their hard work pay off on Friday, Oct. 14. Dalhousie's second Open House was an energetic and successful event that showcased the university as a world class institution. An enthusiastic crowd of over 1,200 students, parents and school officials travelled from across Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and as far away as the eastern United States to attend.
Breaking the ice
The day began with a welcome from President Tom Traves, who invited students to take part in the day's informative and fun sessions. He reminded students of the real purpose for Dalhousie's Open House: to provide the information needed to make an informed choice when selecting a university. "This is a decision that will have a big impact on your life and career, so it is really important to choose wisely," he noted.
Vice President (Student Services) Dr. Bonnie Neuman spoke about the spirit and energy of Dalhousie, saying: "I've worked at universities in the West and Ontario and nothing else in Canada compares to the experience at Dal!"
A personalized focus
This year's Open House featured personalized programs for students, parents andguidance cousellors. Activities included the academic EXPO with presentations on Dalhousie's 11 faculties and 180 undergraduate, graduate and professional degree programs.
Students were also invited to discover the energy of campus life as they toured residences, visited athletic facilities and sat in on lectures.
Reaching for victory
Teams from 40 schools across Nova Scotia and New Brunswick tested their knowledge in the Reach for Dalhousie contest. The winning team this year was from Cobequid Educational Centre in Truro and included team members Ryan Andrews, Kelsey MacKenzie, and Bobo (Charles) Eyrich who received a full scholarship to Dalhousie as first prize. This is the second consecutive year that Cobequid won the Reach for Dalhousie competition. Second place honours went to Kennebecasis Valley High School from New Brunswick