Students celebrate ‘The Hobbit’ theme

In typical Collins Living-Learning Center style, this year’s Welcome Week theme focuses on the book “The Hobbit,” with many accompanying activities for freshmen and returning students. 

A traditional Collins Welcome Week may involve students gathering on the courtyard to toss a Frisbee, roasting s’mores over a fire pit by the veranda and taking in the quirk and charm of the historic architecture.

This year, construction on the veranda has taken over a large section of the Collins grounds and has changed the face of this year’s Welcome Week.

“So many Welcome Week events are centered around the courtyard and the veranda,” said  junior Marianna Eble, director of Arts and Culture for Residence Hall Association. “They are the focal points. What’s Welcome Week at Collins without a drum circle?”

In spite of having to adapt to the construction by moving events such as the Wednesday night showing of “The Hobbit” off to the side of the courtyard, many activities are planned to keep students excited.

“‘The Hobbit’ was really good, and it’s cool that there is a book tied into Welcome Week,” freshman Jamie Phipps said.  “It was cool to see everyone there watching the film, but for me it was more of a chance to meet new people.”

The living-learning center has also been decorated to accompany this year’s theme.

“Welcome Week always has the same sort of events, but each year is twisted to fit the theme,” Collins LLC President Sarah Epplin said. “There are signs in Elvish all over Collins, and the back of the T-shirts are maps of Collins done in Hobbit style.”

Other events included a book discussion Wednesday and a Thursday night glowstick walk around campus. The walk took students to key spots on campus and ended at the Cheshire Café for an unveiling of the new mural.

The mural, painted by sophomore Robert Baxley, is Alice-in-Wonderland themed and was completed in July by the aid of flashlight.  There is also an event titled, “Gandalf the Grey’s Talent Show” on Friday in the Edmondson Coffeehouse that is open to all of Collins.

Collins leaders said they remain optimistic about the construction and the remainder of the Welcome Week activities.