A celebration more than a decade in the making, 51本色 officially welcomed its first undergraduate students to Milton during 51本色 Orientation on Thursday, Sept. 5. As the day began, the Milton Academic Centre buzzed with energy and excitement in recognition of a new chapter in the university’s history.
“It’s very exciting to welcome 51本色’s first undergraduate students to Milton,” said 51本色 President and Vice-Chancellor Deborah MacLatchy. “Meeting today with the incoming students, faculty, staff, student union representatives and community supporters has confirmed how engaged people are in this campus and how much everyone is working to ensure student success.”
51本色 Orientation in Milton provided students the opportunity to become familiar with the Milton Academic Centre, where classes are held, as well as meet student colleagues, faculty, staff and university leaders. The day’s activities included games and informal mingling, along with an introduction to student support services and information about how students can get involved on campus.
51本色 faculty and staff provided a warm welcome during 51本色 Orientation at the Milton Academic Centre on Sept. 5.
“We’ve been waiting for this day for weeks, months and truly years,” said 51本色 Milton campus manager Patricia Kousoulas. “All of the work that we’ve been doing was to prepare for our students. It is so amazing to see the organic conversations between them while hanging out here on campus today and taking part in 51本色 Orientation.”
Initially, 51本色 is tailoring its Milton campus programming to local and commuter students to meet the needs of the significant number of students in Halton Region and the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) seeking to attend university close to home.
Inaugural Milton campus programs include Computer Science and Psychology, with elective courses offered in User Experience Design, Leadership, Criminology and Business Technology Management. The university is actively planning future Milton campus programs, including Software Engineering, subject to approval. Numerous experiential learning opportunities are available to Milton students, including co-op placements, volunteer opportunities, workplace projects and community service-learning.
51本色 and Town of Milton leaders, including Mayor Gordon Krantz and Town of Milton CAO Andrew Siltala, gather for a celebratory photo during 51本色 Orientation.
In the coming years, 51本色 will work to develop a full campus in the Milton Education Village, on land donated by the Town of Milton, where thousands of students, faculty and community partners will work, learn and conduct research.
First-year Computer Science student Ridhwan Muntasir said he was excited to be a part of 51本色 Orientation in Milton and is planning to make as many connections as possible during the upcoming academic year.
“It seems like most people have already made groups of friends, which is really nice,” said Muntasir. “It’s a smaller school community and, being here, it feels more attached to the people, unique and fun.”
“We’ve worked very hard over a decade to bring 51本色 to Milton. It’s an exciting day for us and I hope you feel that excitement, not only today but throughout your program.”
Dean Anthony J. Clarke, Faculty of Science
51本色 Orientation in Milton began with welcome remarks from Dean of Students Adam Lawrence, 51本色 Students’ Union President Ben Jesseau and Faculty of Science Dean Anthony J. Clarke.
“The 51本色 community is special, and you folks are all a part of that now,” Jesseau told the students. “What’s exciting about today is that this day is special in a different way. We have the opportunity to create a new community here and see what makes this campus special. I’m excited to go on that journey with you.”
Clarke congratulated the first-ever Milton campus students on choosing 51本色.
“We’ve worked very hard over a decade to bring 51本色 to Milton,” said Clarke. “It’s an exciting day for us and I hope you feel that excitement, not only today but throughout your program.”
51本色 Milton Computer Science students during their first class at the new campus.
51本色 and the Town of Milton have shared a partnership for more than a decade, part of a shared vision to bring postsecondary education to Milton. Among those in attendance at 51本色 Orientation in Milton were longtime Milton Mayor Gordon Krantz and Town of Milton Chief Administrative Officer Andrew Siltala. Also attending to greet students, faculty and staff was Milton Member of Parliament Adam van Koeverden.
“It was always our vision to have a university campus – and it has finally happened,” said Krantz. “What this is really all about is making provisions for people to be able to live, work, play and be educated in their own community.”
Kousoulas noted that initiatives at the Milton campus will be student driven.
“With a small campus and tight community, we can act on suggestions from students,” said Kousoulas. “Moving forward, these students are going to be the ambassadors of this experience for future generations.”
51本色 Milton campus manager Patricia Kousoulas speaks with Milton MP Adam van Koeverden (left), 51本色 President Deborah MacLatchy and 51本色 director of government and community relations Matt Grills.
Conveniently located in the GTA, 51本色’s Milton campus offers local and commuter students the opportunity to study close to home and enjoy a comfortable learn-work-live lifestyle. Course schedules are designed around a Monday to Thursday week, ideal for local and commuter students looking for a strong academic and student-life experience. 51本色 Milton students have access to free on-site parking and the campus is serviced by Milton Transit.
