Naugatuck Valley Community College welcomed approximately 525 new students and their families to campus for its annual New Student Orientation on August 29 on the College’s Waterbury campus. The event featured a welcome from administrators, faculty and staff; nearly 20 information tables on various College services and activities; campus tours; and special programs for parents, covering topics ranging from financial aid to special services for veterans.

“What a great morning this is, to see the students coming in for the fall semester and to see their significant others and their parents. I always tell the parents, ‘You can always come back, if you’d like to do something different or if you haven’t finished, we’re here for everybody,’” said NVCC President Daisy Cocco De Filippis, Ph.D. “I challenge you this semester to go forth; to say that you’ve found a good place to begin this next phase of your journey on this earth… and that it’s going to be kind, and it’s going to be intelligent, and that it’s going to be productive. Welcome to Naugatuck Valley Community College!”

President De Filippis urged the new students to do their best: put in the effort, come to class prepared, ask questions if you don’t understand something and explore all that NVCC has to offer. She encouraged families to take an interest in their student’s education, support them, ask about their studies and provide help when needed.

Professor William H. Foster III welcomed students and their parents on behalf of the College’s faculty. He said this new journey will be difficult, but it will also be rewarding—and that anything worth undertaking has its difficulties. “Don’t let hard stop you,” he said. “You’ve had hard before, yet you’re still here... Here’s the thing: I love teaching here. I love and I value the experience here. Every day, do the best you can and the rest will take care of itself.”

The incoming class and their families were also greeted by the deans of Student Services and Academic Affairs, Student Government Association and Public Safety.

Later, students and parents separated into two groups. Parents participated in a “parent boot camp” with Financial Aid Director Cathy Hardy and students were treated to an interactive campus tour and giveaways by Dean of Students Sarah Gager and NVCC student ambassadors.

Cheshire High School graduate Faith Tomlinson is entering NVCC with hopes of following in the footsteps of her grandmother and becoming a nurse. “I’m looking forward to meeting new people and making new friends,” she said.

Credit courses at the College began August 31. In the 2014-15 academic year, NVCC awarded 1,260 degrees and certificates.

Check out additional photos from New Student Orientation on Facebook.