Fall Welcome Comes to a Close with Fountain Fest

By Rachael Powles '22, September 9, 2021

Staff, faculty and students worked together to plan many Fall Welcome activities.

Ithacapella singing to a student during Fountain Fest. (Photo credit: Ken Yu '25)

After 40 events with record-setting attendance, Ithaca College’s 2021 Fall Welcome came to a close this past weekend with Fountain Fest on Sunday, September 5. The colorful evening of live performance framed by Ithaca’s iconic Dillingham Center fountains was a fitting end to two weeks of celebrating the student body’s return to campus.

The planning process for Fall Welcome began back in May, when a survey was sent out to rising sophomores asking for their feedback on the previous Fall Welcome, and what kind of programming they would like to see moving forward. Based on their responses, the Fall Welcome Committee and the First Bomber Weekend Committee, composed of staff, faculty, and students, worked together to plan the activities.

“Knowing that students have been learning remotely over the past year and a half, I hope that these events help students feel welcomed here on campus. For sophomores especially, who missed out on typical in-person orientation and welcome events, I hope they feel a sense of belonging as they meet their peers, faculty, and staff, and participate in activities they haven't been able to over the past year.”

Justine Avila, assistant director of New Student and Transition Programs

Justine Avila, assistant director of New Student and Transition Programs, said she and the rest of the Fall Welcome Committee hoped to create a safe and joyful environment for new and returning students alike.

“Knowing that students have been learning remotely over the past year and a half, I hope that these events help students feel welcomed here on campus,” said Avila. “For sophomores especially, who missed out on typical in-person orientation and welcome events, I hope they feel a sense of belonging as they meet their peers, faculty, and staff, and participate in activities they haven't been able to over the past year.”

Eileen Roth, coordinator for Residential Engagement and Independent Living and chair of the First Bomber Weekend Committee, echoed this sentiment.

“Our intention is that people build connections at an event, whether it’s learning something new or meeting a new person,” said Roth. “That’s what IC is all about, we want people to get to know the wonderful Ithaca area and have the opportunity to meet new people.”

Pulse Hiphop performs at Fountain Fest. (Photo credit: Kevin Yu '25)

Students had plenty of opportunities to make up for lost time as this year’s programming included stargazing, a night of video games with the Office of Public Safety and Emergency Management, a trip to explore Ithaca’s iconic farmers market, and much more. Sophomores were especially receptive; over 400 members of the Class of 2024 attended the Fall Fest event in the Athletic and Event Center on August 21, and another 40 attended a separate sophomore mingle.

Numerous student and staff organizations collaborated to ensure the events ran smoothly. On September 5, students gathered on the Campus Center Quad for an afternoon of tie-dye and root beer floats, staffed by volunteers from the Community Council and the Office of Residential Life.

“It’s so fun to watch people make friends at these events,” said attendee Grace Madeya '23. “As an RA I’ve also gotten the chance to meet new people I normally wouldn’t by working at these really different events.”

Fall Welcome officially came to an end that evening with Fountain Fest. IC’s interim president La Jerne Terry Cornish and SGC president Deontae Guy ’23 offered remarks on the start of the new semester. A concert in the Dillingham Center’s Hoerner Theater featured performances by the IC cheerleading squad, a cappella groups Premium Blend and Ithacappella, and dance groups Pulse Hiphop and Island Fusion, complete with interactive elements that made the audience the center of attention.

“As a first-year, to be a part of this event was a thrill and an exciting time,” said attendee Kevin Yu '25. “My favorite moment was when Ithacapella brought an audience member to the stage and sang to them.”

The party continued outside Dillingham at the fountains with music by IC’s own DJ Jolie, a joyful end to two weeks of community building and fun.