At their annual freshmen orientation, Jamestown Business College welcomed new students and families with a tropical twist.

The college recently gathered together newcomers to the college to orient them to their new scholastic endeavour in the form of a luau.

The students and their families were invited to learn more about JBC, spend time with the administration, participate in a variety of games and also get to know their fellow classmates.

The students were welcomed to the gathering, and were immediately asked to participate in a game called the “lime and the coconut hot potato game.”

Several prizes were awarded, including a $10 Tim Hortons gift card, a college sweatshirt and a $50 Walmart giftcard.

As the music played, the participants stood and passed around a lime and a coconut until the music stopped.

After several rounds, the winners were declared and prizes were handed out.

Several fun activities were planned for the evening, including a beach ball decorating contest, and a much anticipated chicken barbecue dinner.

Pamela Reese, JBC dean, said the faculty at Jamestown Business College is dedicated to supporting students.

“I am so proud of the faculty we have here at Jamestown Business College, and the support that is available to your students. They will never want for extra help, for people to answer their questions,” Reese said. “Our faculty are here, they are accessible and they are here for our students. That’s something that I am really truly proud of.”

She said the scheduling at the college is also top notch.

“One of the real values that your students get with the JBC education is what we call plus days. Your student are in school every day from 8:30 to 2:30, and built right into that class schedule are plus days,” Reese said. “Every single class at least once during the week has a plus day period, and that period is a time that students can go to their class, they can meet with faculty one-on-one and they can go in help or study groups. Basically, anything that they need.”

Reese said student progress is tracked, and three times a term, progress reports are submitted.

“Those progress reports tell me where students are in their classes and how they’re doing. One of the things that we work really hard on is identifying any students who might be struggling or having a little bit of trouble getting used to college so that we can provide that help,” she said. “The faculty are really great about meeting with students and setting up action plans so if a student does fall a little bit off, we’re able to get them right back on track.”

Rosanne Johanson, Jamestown Business College vice president, said JBC students have many options at the college.

“JBC is a four-year school, and we do have a bachelor’s degree program,” Johanson said.

Not only is the college accredited by Middle States Commission on Higher Education, but the college has also recently partnered with Gannon University which makes transferring easier, Reese added.

The students then separated into groups to have student id photos taken, learn about their schedule and participate in other events, while their families remained downstairs to hear more from administration officials and more.

Afterward, everyone gathered again to enjoy a barbecue chicken dinner and spend time socializing with one another.

The college will have another orientation event on Aug. 3.

JBC offers several degrees including Business Administration associates degrees in accounting, an administrative professional degree, hospitality management, information technology, marketing and management, medical administrative degrees, administrative assistant programs and a medical office assistant certificate.

Bachelors degrees are offered in health information management and management.

For more information on Jamestown Business College, visit jamestownbusinesscollege.edu or call 664-5100.