By: Richard Meyer ~Copy Editor~

Xavier welcomed first year students to campus once again with the annual Manresa orientation program. This year’s program saw some familiar aspects as well as many new ones.
“Some of the main highlights from Manresa include some of our traditional events such a

s the Presidential Welcome and Community Celebration where parents and families say goodbye to their first-year students our Real World: Xavier Social Issues Monologues, a performance by illusionist Craig Karges and our huge icebreaker, Playfair,” Manresa Core Member Colin Foos said.
There was much more focus on the inclusivity of the Xavier community this year in Manresa specifically in interfaith service on the Xavier Yard.
“This year’s Interfaith was somewhat different than it has been in previous years. We really focused on emphasizing the inclusive community that exists at Xavier and the many different faiths and backgrounds that our students, faculty and staff come from,” Foos said. “New this year, we held the Celebration on the Husman Stage and included a candle-lit ceremony at the end where students formed an ‘X’ on the Xavier Yard, which ended up looking really cool.”
The goal of Manresa is to integrate the first-years into their new home by familiarizing them with the campus, as well as by giving them access to upperclassmen who can help them through the transition. This further emphasizes the Xavier community.
“We believe that Manresa is a way for students to begin forming the connections, friendships and relationships that make Xavier such a great place. Without Manresa, first-year students would arrive to campus without any way to help facilitate their inclusion with the rest of the Xavier Community,” Foos said. “Manresa helps build a much stronger Xavier Community from the moment first-years step onto campus.”
Manresa has a campus-wide effect, as many people come together to make the program happen.
“I believe that Manresa is one of the best ways we can welcome our new students to campus. preparing our students for their overall campus experience,” Assistant Director for Leadership and Orientation in the Office of Student Involvement Molly Dugan said.
“The spirit and energy of the program are infectious and you can see that across campus. So many staff and faculty from all over campus volunteer with the program and it provides them a way to interact with students that is outside of their day to day responsibilities.”