The start of a new academic year is a time for excitement and anticipation, and the beginning of the Fall 2024 semester was no exception! The Graduate College held a Welcome Reception for new and returning graduate students to connect with each other and explore the resources available to them at Illinois. Students in attendance at the Illini Union were greeted with an array of door prizes, remarks from Provost John Coleman and Graduate Dean Wojtek Chodzko‑Zajko, engaging conversation, and (of course) delicious cake. The Welcome Reception was a perfect opportunity for students to reconnect with old friends, make new ones, and set the tone for a successful year ahead.
We hope you enjoy this behind-the-scenes photo recap of the festivities! We also had a chance to catch up with some graduate students and ask them about the journeys and passions that brought them to Illinois. Check out the video below!
Want to learn more about Welcome Week? Read more on our website.
John Moist is the Communications Specialist for the Graduate College. He holds degrees from Mount Aloysius College ('14), Baylor University ('17), and the University of Illinois (PhD, '22). His academic research examines the digital world's impact on our ideas of work and community. In his spare time, he enjoys making music, teaching public speaking, playing board games, drinking espresso, and watching movies. He lives in Champaign, Illinois with his wife Kaitlyn and their cat Mildred.
