{"id":50366,"date":"2018-04-09T10:35:11","date_gmt":"2018-04-09T14:35:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/brocku.ca\/brock-news\/?p=50366"},"modified":"2018-04-09T17:58:28","modified_gmt":"2018-04-09T21:58:28","slug":"brock-welcomes-thousands-to-open-house","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/brocku.ca\/brock-news\/2018\/04\/brock-welcomes-thousands-to-open-house\/","title":{"rendered":"Brock welcomes thousands to Open House"},"content":{"rendered":"

Brock University rolled out the welcome mat for thousands of visitors during Sunday\u2019s Open House, one of the most important events in the recruitment calendar.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Travelling from around Niagara, the GTA and other parts of Canada, about 4,200 prospective students, parents and other guests toured campus, asked questions at the on-site information fair and took in sessions that provided program-specific details.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Prospective Sport Management student Ethan Crystal, flanked by parents Felicia and Todd, spent Sunday learning all about what Brock has to offer.<\/p><\/div>\n

A small army of close to 300 faculty, staff and student volunteers \u2014 each sporting their signature red Brock gear \u2014 welcomed visitors and provided information about undergraduate and graduate academic programs, experiential education options, student services and research opportunities.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe vibe has been terrific, with tons of energy,\u201d said Beth Natale, Brock\u2019s Director of Recruitment. \u201cI think that\u2019s in large part because our entire campus community participates.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Natale was impressed with the turnout given the unseasonably cold temperatures and occasional blast of flurries that hit Niagara throughout the day.<\/span><\/p>\n

Open House is a critical event in the recruitment calendar, with many secondary school applicants weighing their options before making a final decision by June 1.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMany of the students here today have offers of admission in hand and they\u2019re literally comparing us with the other schools they\u2019ve applied to,\u201d Natale said. \u201cIt\u2019s an important day for us to shine and to tell the full story of what Brock has to offer.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ethan Crystal journeyed from Montreal alongside parents Todd and Felicia to get a taste of the Brock experience he had read so much about online.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSeeing the University on the computer compared to being here in person is two different things. I\u2019m really enjoying it and glad we came,\u201d said the prospective Sport Management student. \u201cYou really get a feel for the school. I\u2019m excited.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Crystal said Brock\u2019s SPMA program is highly regarded and after spending some time with faculty Sunday, he can see why.<\/span><\/p>\n

While he has yet to make a final decision for fall, he said his time at Open House has him leaning towards a Brock start in September \u2014 a thought that sits well with his mother Felicia.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m very impressed,\u201d she said of her initial on-campus experience. \u201cEveryone has been so welcoming and knowledgeable. This campus is big but it has a feel of intimacy, like a community.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

That welcoming feel is what Brock strives to provide, Natale said, while crediting all involved in Open House for making that possible.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\t