The Adventures, the Cookout, and Now—the Classes

The College brought forth an assortment of food trucks, games, and a DJ to help acclimate the Class of 2028 to life on campus. The event gave incoming new students a chance to meet upperclass students, staff, and faculty—even before the campus-wide lobster bake, which always takes place after Convocation (scheduled for the following Monday this year). 

Just hours earlier, all of the first-year students had returned from their three-day orientation adventures—affectionately known as O-trips. The trips plunge students into an array of varied activities, from community service and mindfulness to canoeing, hiking, and rafting.

Several students reported a range of emotions while reflecting on their excursions off campus.

Maddie Wojciak ’28 admitted she was pushed out of her comfort zone on her O-trip but that it ultimately benefitted her and fostered strong connections between members of her group. Ephraim Tutu ’28 jokingly remarked that he was just glad to be alive with running water and more diverse food options. Sam Schwart ’28 said his trip was relaxing, filled with “awesome people and beautiful scenery.”

With their first semester at Bowdoin quickly approaching, students also shared their hopes, aspirations, and expectations for the days ahead. Transfer student Nikolas DeAngelo ’26 said he expects to establish a new home, find his people, and embrace all the unique clubs and organizations Bowdoin offers. Sadie O'Neill ’28 said she expects a good challenge in her first semester and that she is “ecstatic to embark on this new journey.” Bella Hartung ’28 (a Floridian) said she expects freezing temperatures. (For the time being, however, she’s happy with the tan she received on her O-trip.) She also remarked that she hopes to forge lifelong connections during her time here. 

Bowdoin President Safa Zaki also joined the event, meeting and mingling with students. She said she's eager to get to know students from the incoming class. Above all, she said she hopes students feel a sense of belonging on Bowdoin’s campus.

Orientation intern Luciana Perdomo '26 said she hopes that first-years quickly start to feel as comfortable here as returning students do. She added that she also looks forward to keeping up with the “Bowdoin hello,” a tradition in which people greet one another no matter where they are on campus or whether or not they know one another.