The annual tradition continues! Once again, valuable connections were made at the 4th Annual Hilton College Welcome Picnic, held Sunday, Aug. 19 for incoming freshmen and transfer students, their families and guests. More than 130 attended the event, which is held every fall semester before the first day of classes.

After check in, refreshments and photo opportunities, students broke into smaller groups for tours of the College and our Hilton University of Houston led by the Conrad N. Hilton College Ambassadors.   

They also met with student organization leaders in the Eric’s Club Center for Student Success, and learned about the services provided by Career Development with Director Colleen Gleeson and Career Counselor & Internship Coordinator Gloria Ratliff. Faculty members, who spoke about their classes and policies, also greeted students in the Spec’s Beverage & Food Appreciation Lab.

New this year were round-table sessions in Alumni Hall with Hilton College grads who volunteered to discuss their experiences as students and in the industry. These alums included Curtis Bell (’13), Gerardo Chavez (’10), Blair Dillon (’18), Caitlin Fuller (’18) and Sandra Rodriguez (’08), as well as Hilton College Alumni Board President Kaitlyn Venable-Valdez (’12), Treasurer Noel Stalnaker (’75) who attended with wife Shelley, and Board Member Ricki Girardi (’10).

“Our students are always happy and inspired when they meet our alumni,” said Director of Recruiting & Enrollment Mandi Anderson, who has been at the helm of the Welcome Picnic since its inception. “It shows them that the success of our graduates is something they can aspire to, and they are encouraged to know they already have support from a strong alumni network even before they take their first class.”

When it was time for lunch, everyone took seats in the Conrad Hilton Grand Ballroom where Anderson introduced Dean Dennis Reynolds. After the Dean’s welcome remarks, guests enjoyed burgers, hotdogs and cookies.

“It was truly inspiring to see so many members of our Hilton College community here on a Sunday morning to extend a genuine HC welcome to our incoming freshmen and transfer students,” Dean Reynolds said.

(Story & Photo: Pearl K. Cajoles)

Posted on Sept. 24, 2018