The Tickle College of Engineering (TCE) welcomed hundreds of first-year students to campus at the College Connect event on Tuesday, August 23.

Each department had booths set up and representatives on hand in the Engineering Courtyard formed by Ferris Hall, Perkins Hall, and SERF where they greeted students who have now begun their collegiate academic journeys with them. As part of the festivities, students also received this year’s first-year student t-shirt.

TCE Dean Matthew Mench, the Wayne T. Davis Dean’s Chair of the college, addressed students at the event, stressing to them the importance of making sure that they never missed class and how being present and engaged would go a long way toward helping them succeed.

Following events at the courtyard, students made their way to the Zeanah Engineering Complex, where they had the opportunity to meet with some of the many various student organizations and gain insight and information about them.

Several of the college- and university-level offices were on hand to meet with students and answer any questions that they might have, including:

• Cook Grand Challenge Honors Program;
• Kao Innovation and Collaboration Studio;
• Office of Engineering Diversity Programs;
• Office of Engineering Professional Practice;
• Office of Student Success;
• Women in Engineering Program;
• UT Academic Success Center;
• UT Center for Career Development and Academic Exploration.

Students also had the chance to meet with the Engineering Advising Office and the engage Engineering Fundamentals Program, and to walk through the building and see the different classrooms and labs it houses.