The horns section for the Big Red Band performs on the Commons.

Photo Essay

Students embrace Ithaca during Welcome Students Weekend

By Kelly Kuehn
Student and Campus Life

September 17, 2024

New and returning Cornellians gathered on Sept. 14 for Welcome Students Weekend, an event bringing students from Cornell, Ithaca College and Tompkins Cortland Community College (TC3) together to explore downtown Ithaca.

The event featured live performances from student groups at Ithaca College and Cornell, including the Big Red Marching Band, Cornell Lion Dance, Cornell Yamatai and the Cornell Middle Eastern Music Ensemble. Students also participated in a treasure hunt through several downtown shops and heard remarks from Marla Love, the Robert W. and Elizabeth C. Staley Dean of Students.

“We want students to feel comfortable and confident in how to navigate beyond campus and understand what it means to be active and supportive members of the community,” said Kevin Perry, director of the Tatkon Center for New Students.

Jason Koski/Cornell University

Students experience the Cornell Lion Dance performance. Lion dancing is a traditional Chinese ritual that is thought to bring good luck and drive away evil spirits.

The TCAT bus system took students to and from downtown Ithaca during the event, familiarizing them with a valuable resource that takes them beyond campus.

“We want our new students to use the bus to get to downtown Ithaca, but also utilize the free bus passes they receive to continue exploring,” Perry said.

Jason Koski/Cornell University

Conductor leads the Big Red band.

Jason Koski/Cornell University

Left: The Big Red Band performs in formation on the Commons to kick off the afternoon festivities. Right: Members of CUMEME perform.

Jason Koski/Cornell University

Left: Members of Cornell University Middle Eastern and Mediterranean Ensemble (CUMEME) entertain the crowd with Turkish, Arabic, Persian, Greek, Armenian and Latino songs. Right: Members of Yamatai, Cornell's one and only taiko group, is dedicated to passionately showcasing the art of traditional Japanese drumming, also known as taiko.

The downtown area offers various opportunities for students to engage with the Ithaca community. In addition to shops and restaurants, events such as the Apple Harvest Festival and Gallery Night bring residents together.

Welcome Students Weekend was organized by the Tatkon Center for New Students, in partnership with the Downtown Ithaca Alliance, Ithaca College, TC3 and the TCAT bus system.