Hello Daybreak audience,

The first day of the semester is always an exciting time on any college campus. On Monday, Aug. 25, Marietta College’s faculty and staff greeted approximately 1,500 students as they returned from summer break.

While getting back into an academic state of mind is the main focus, the College’s Office of Student Life also works hard to offer many alternatives to ease the transition back into class during the first week.

The main highlight is the annual Welcome Back Bash on Aug. 29-30.

On Friday, comedian Ryan Conner will perform in The Gathering Place at 8 p.m. followed by the Charles Sumner Harrison Organization's annual Ice Breaker at 10 p.m. Earlier that day students are encouraged to cheer on the Pioneer volleyball team as they take on Oberlin at 3 p.m. and Grove City (Pa.) at 7 p.m. in the annual River City Volleyball Tournament on Fenton Court.

On Saturday, the volleyball action continues from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Marietta's soccer teams take the field in the Marietta Soccer Classic. The women face Bethany (W.Va.) at 2 p.m. and the men play Walsh at 4 p.m. on Marietta Field.

From 1-3 p.m. will be Club MC on the Christy Mall. If there is inclement weather Club MC will move inside the Dyson Baudo Recreation Center. The Bash closes with musician Jason Levaseur in The Gathering Place at 8 p.m.

The semester also begins with plenty of good news as Marietta College has recently been recognized by three independent organizations. Forbes.com, The Princeton Review and U.S. News and World Report have each ranked Marietta as one of the finest institutions in the nation.

Here’s to a safe and fun semester.

(My name is Tom Perry and I am the Director of College Relations at Marietta College. I have been at the College for more than five years and enjoy working to promote the College and serve as its spokesperson.)