Students entering Barsema Hall on Monday morning were welcomed by more than just staff.

The College of Business welcomed their students back with the theme of the day “College of Business Alumni Care.” Seventy-five to 100 alumni showed up throughout the day to help greet students.

Along with their presence, alumni also donated a variety of foods, including 250 pizzas, along with other items. A similar welcome is planned for Tuesday.

Two thousand T-shirts made by Student Advisory Council were also given away. There were signing boards for students to write on, as well as “support scrapbooks” for Daniel Parmenter’s family and injured College of Business students.

Denise Schoenbachler, dean of the College of Business, said they had asked alumni if anyone was available to come and help out and were pleased with the turnout.

“Our alumni is grieving and needed to connect as much as students did,” Schoenbachler said. “When they were here, they helped students to heal but at the same time being here, it helped our alumni heal.”

Mary Allen, secretary of the Management Department, thought the whole effort was phenomenal and students will see alumni give back.

Students appreciated the welcome they received by alumni and faculty.

“There was just so many staff members,” said Ava Bajrami, junior accountancy major. “It just felt so safe.”

Mike Lenard, junior accountancy major, heard about the welcoming beforehand but had not expected it at the magnitude that it was.

“Basically, you walked into a bunch of open arms,” Lenard said. “It was the best way to welcome students back.”

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