Montana State University Orientation

Brandon and Ethan got into Bozeman a couple days early; got acquainted with the town and biked around campus. They picked me up at the airport Tuesday night, August 18. I knew we were in the right place Wednesday morning for Orientation when all the light poles near campus had banners! Brandon and I were both nervous as we stood in line in front of the Johnstone Center for dorm registration at 9 am. But then we heard, "Brandon!" as his roommate AJ recognized him from his Facebook photos and marched up to shake his hand. It was all good after that; he had a friend!

The desk is always staffed inside.

Brandon and AJ share a mailbox on the bottom row:

Brandon Beachy

100 Mullan Hall #5

Bozeman, MT 59715-5076

Off on an adventure of 42 steps to find his room!

Ta Da! Nothing fancy!

But we have an Orientation schedule...

Off to find the Student Union Building Ballroom.

We met the mascot Bobcat in the center of campus.

Brandon with AJ Cordero from CA, an engineering major, as well.

Montana Hall houses the President's and Admissions offices.

There's the SUB.

We met in the Ballroom for the Vice President's Welcome. The admissions crew had all new students stand up by state and cheer, alphabetically, so Alaska was near the beginning, and more than just a couple! Montanans comprise 49% of the 15,000 enrollment.

Eventually the students were all dismissed by major to a classroom to meet their program directors. The parents joined them there a little later. Engineers went next door to Gaines Hall, west of SUB.

Recently renovated, this lecture hall seats 300 in rolling, reclining office chairs! Brandon takes Chemistry here this semester (not his favorite because it is so large.) He is seated lower right corner.

Later we went to check out the Engineering Buildings east of the SUB, beyond the landmark "Noodle" sculpture. This one the newest.

Brandon's Intro to Engineering class is in this room. He loves it, "I don't know what else I would even be interested in studying as much as this!"

Just north of that is the original "COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING" building where the professors' offices and more classrooms are.

The students and the parents had Orientation meetings separately here with Power Points highlighting their program and Q&A times.

On Friday, the engineers registered for classes here all by themselves! AJ was still sorting things out in the department headquarters.

CATAPALOOZA was the main event Thursday... 300 booths set up on "The Mall" wide pink concrete sidewalk through the center of campus. Every club, sorority, business, and church that is involved with college kids was there!

Wrapped around in front of the library... Booths with live music, candy, stickers, pens, pizza, brochures, coupons, dental floss, lanyards - all free tokens beckoning student involvement.

Amid all the hullabaloo, Brandon found this one: Chi Alpha. They held a BBQ and volleyball tourney the first night, frisbee golf the next afternoon, and offered to pick him up for church Sunday! Sponsored by the Assembly of God, Chi Alpha does have a house like a sorority where some students live and host regular Tuesday night worship and weekend movies and games. Brandon's already in the drum rotation on Tuesday. A great group of guys go hiking or biking and meet in core groups regularly. (There are pretty girls, too.) They all attend various churches in town Sunday mornings; he likes Venture best so far. Such an answer to a Mom's prayers.

Friday after registration we walked campus to find where he'd be spending some time this semester. The SUB has a great "Ask Us" information booth to answer any questions about MSU or Bozeman, purchase tickets for events, etc.

Downstairs, the Bookstore was a main event... $500 this semester!

Calculus and Chemistry load to balance!

The SUB also has a bowling ally...

... and movie theater.

The Fitness Center.

Workout room.

Swimming pool.

One of the gyms.

The Math building.

Calculus classroom.

Music room where he's taking his elective "Fundamentals of Composition." Electronic keyboard the textbook. Brandon loves it! Engineering prof, "We have to take electives so that we can be well-rounded individuals. Well, you don't want to be too well-rounded or you're pointless!"