Hello Daybreak audience,

It may be summertime at Marietta College, but many of the students who will make up the Class of 2012 have made their first step in becoming part of the Long Blue Line. Hundreds of future freshmen, along with many of their parents, were on campus on different days in June for Freshman Enrollment Days.

Of course, one of the main goals during these sessions is to acclimate the students with the College. They learn about the College's email system, where to get their mail and they get to meet with a faculty member and schedule their classes for the fall. The enrollment sessions are also valuable to our parents, who have an opportunity to ask questions about financial aid, student life and safety on campus … just to mention a few.

While a majority of the students' and parents' time is occupied by activities on campus, Marietta College officials also believe it is important for them to get an opportunity to feel out the Marietta community a bit as well.

We encourage them to walk downtown and visit the quaint shops, and stop and take a look at the Ohio River. They also have a chance to take a Historic Trolley Tour and enjoy a narrated voyage that provides an overview of historic architecture and sites of the city.

Many of these same students and family will be returning to campus in August for matriculation and freshman orientation. At that time they will officially become part of the Marietta College community as well as the community at large. We hope you get an opportunity to interact with them whether it is as volunteers with the McDonough Leadership Program, through an athletic event or simply sitting next to them at a restaurant around the city.

In case you're keeping track or just want to know, fall classes begin Aug. 25. On that day more than 1,400 students will be back at Marietta College ready for another challenging and rewarding experience.

(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.)