Prospective students previewed the college experience as a member of the Herd at Marshall’s first Green and White Days of the semester on Feb. 2-3.

Green and White Day gives attendees the opportunity to explore Marshall’s campus, interact with current students and faculty and learn more about their potential college and major. 

“I think of it in terms of a ‘one-stop shop’ where all of our academic programs and all of our student resource groups come together,” said Lisa Williamson, the director of orientation, outreach and special events.

Williamson listed Financial Aid, Housing and Residence Life and the Office of Admissions as just a few of the offices involved with Green and White Day; staff from each department are present to help students fill out applications and complete their enrollment.

The $100 enrollment deposit was even waived for students who attended on Saturday and were ready to commit to the university.

Student Body President Walker Tatum said Green and White Days serve as a means to jumpstart the beginning of students’ Marshall journey. 

Serving as the emcee for Green and White Day, Tatum said, “I think that things that I attended whenever I was in high school that were here on campus- I remember the people who spoke to me by name, and I remember their involvement and how they inspired me to do what I do now.”

“When you come to college, you’re looking for a university to invest in, but you also want that university to invest just as much into you,” Tatum said. “So, it’s nice for students to know what Marshall’s doing in terms of moving forward and moving upward for higher education and for the state of West Virginia.”

While Friday was a day for high-schoolers to tour with their school counselors, Saturday was for students to attend with their families; however, both days consisted of similar events to give attendees the full college experience. 

Both Williamson and Tatum expressed the importance of prospective students getting to interact with current and former students.

“You can look up everything you want online about a certain university, but I don’t really feel like that does as much than to hear from people who are actually a part of that university,” Tatum said.

Williamson discussed the student-led tours, in which each tour guide “brings their own piece” to their group, sharing their unique experiences on campus and history about its features.

“Above all, we want them to be able to come and feel a part, already, of the Marshall family,” Williamson said. 

Several students who attended Saturday were also given tickets to the Men’s Basketball game. Williamson said those who did not receive tickets will be given the chance to see the School of Theatre and Dance’s production of The Wolves from Feb. 14-17 and 21-23.

The Admitted Student Social, for students committed to the university, will be held from 2-3:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 24, in the Arthur Weisberg Family Applied Engineering Complex.

Current students interested in participating in Green and White Day or giving campus tours can contact the Office of Recruitment by calling (304) 696-3646.