Texas A&M University-San Antonio welcomed new and returning Jaguars to campus Monday, Aug. 24, launching SX410 Weeks of Welcome with a vibrant festival kickoff on the West Lawn. Hosted by the Office of Student Life, The Penny Social drew crowds with free food, interactive departmental booths and unique photo opportunities.
As students returned for the fall semester, the University also partnered with H-E-B and Mars to help combat food insecurity and support student success. Ahead of the kickoff, H-E-B and Mars employees assembled bags of shelf-stable food, which they distributed to students attending The Penny Social. Special guest H-E-Buddy also showed up to help out.
During Grocery Bingo, Mars representatives presented a $5,000 donation to President Salvador Hector Ochoa to support the General’s Store, the University’s on-campus food pantry. The gift will help replenish inventory and expand the pantry’s ability to provide free groceries and hygiene essentials to students in need.
Running through Sept. 11, the three-week celebration featured more than 60 events designed to help Jaguars build connections, get involved and discover the resources available to them.
Week one featured high-energy favorites including Grocery Bingo, Taco Bout It with SGA, Donuts with the Dean and the Disglow Paint Rave. The University also introduced an exclusive collection of trading cards featuring campus landmarks and important figures. The cards quickly became a hit with students, adding a playful new element to the festivities. Students should follow @tamusanantonio on Instagram to keep an eye out for more ways to snag their own trading card or complete their collection.
The celebration continued with JagFit sessions, College Colors Day, General’s Mercado, the College of Arts & Sciences Showcase, a Volunteer Fair and Recstravaganza. Running concurrently through Sept. 11, the University Library hosted “All Access Pass: Discover Your Library,” an interactive activity designed to introduce students to essential academic spaces and resources across all floors of the library.
Students also had a new way to stay connected to the full slate of activities through the CORQ app, which brings the University’s student engagement platform, JagSync, directly to mobile devices. Using their A&M-San Antonio credentials, students can browse the campus calendar, discover student organizations, RSVP for events and track their involvement through their Experience Transcript.
More than a series of events, Weeks of Welcome gives Jaguars an opportunity to find their place on campus, connect with fellow students, meet faculty and staff, and discover the resources that can help them thrive. By combining celebration with meaningful opportunities for engagement and support, A&M-San Antonio is helping students begin the academic year with a stronger sense of belonging — and reminding them that they are part of a community invested in their success.