New Student Orientation

OrientationWelcome to Griffin Nation! 

We are excited for you to join this community of leaders who demonstrate the Mercy values of respect, integrity, service and social justice. By joining Griffin Nation, you are now a part of the global family of Gwynedd Mercy University's Distinctive Mercy Graduates.

Meet your Orientation Leaders here!
 

First-Year Orientation

Friday, August 26, 2022 to Sunday, August 28, 2022.
Missed registration? That's OK, we'd still love you to join us!

Friday, August 26, 2022
9:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m: Check in at the gymnasium entrance, under the red tents
Friday's program runs from 9:00 a.m. - 11:30 p.m.

Saturday, August 27, 2022
9:00 a.m.: Students will meet at 9:00am in Julia Ball Auditorium for the first session, titled "Let the University Help YOU Get What You Want!"
Saturday's program runs from 9:00 a.m. - 11:30 p.m.

View Schedule


Academic Convocation

Friday, August 26 at 1:00 p.m.

Academic Convocation is a formal academic ceremony that welcomes first-year and new transfer students to the university. It brings together administrators, faculty, and students to commemorate the start of the academic year.

First-year students will attend in person. Transfer students and families are encouraged to watch! 

Watch livestream here


Transfer Orientation

Wednesday, August 17, 2022
8:30am - 9:00am: Check in at University Hall
9:00am - 3:00pm: Orientation
3:00pm - 4:00pm: Optional Tours
Check GriffinEngage for details about the event.

Register here for Transfer Orientation!


Virtual Parent & Family Orientation

Wednesday, August 24, 2022
5:00 p.m.

Please join our faculty, staff, and administration virtually as we show you our version of “Mercy Hospitality” and welcome you and your family to our Gwynedd Mercy University community! At this session, you will hear about some of the resources we offer to keep students healthy, engaged, and active participants in campus life!

At 5:00pm, click the zoom link below to access the webinar. 

Join the Zoom here. 


Mission

Orientation prepares students for academic success, fosters positive relationships with all members of our community, connects students to supportive resources and instills in students the GMercyU mission and core values.

Frequently Asked Questions

First-Year Orientation is required for all incoming first-year students. 

Transfer Orientation is for anyone that holds 24 credits or more from their previous institution. It is highly recommended, but not required. 

If you are a resident transfer student, you are required to attend the First-Year Orientation.

Families are welcome to attend Orientation! We encourage students to bring their college support system.

Students and their family members follow a separate orientation schedule. The date and time for our virtual Family Orientation, including how to register, can be found here.

It is suggested that you make Virtual Family Orientation reservations as part of your orientation reservation process. Please discuss with your family whether or not they would like to attend Family Orientation.

Please register for Family Orientation here!

Housing assignment letters will be mailed home the first week in July and will share your building, room, and roommate contact information.  

First-year students move into the residence halls on Thursday, August 25, 2022. Your housing assignment letter will include the specific time and location of resident student check-in.

If you are a student-athlete participating in a fall sport, please refer to the move-in schedule provided to you by your coach and Residence Life.

For more questions and information for living on campus, please reach out to reslife@gmercyu.edu. 

Transfer Student Orientation is highly recommended. It will introduce you to the culture, traditions, and expectations of Gwynedd Mercy University and prepare you for your first semester.

You will also receive the information and resources you need to be successful in your college experience. 

New Student Orientation will introduce you to the culture, traditions, and expectations of Gwynedd Mercy University and prepare you for your first semester. You will also receive the information and resources you need to be successful in your college experience.

The weekend begins with Move-in Day and includes service projects, our famous Casino Night, campus BBQ, and tons of info sessions and activities. You will also officially be inducted into Griffin Nation at our Griffin Nation Celebration!    

New Student Orientation is mandatory for all first-year students.

If you have any questions about New Student Orientation, please contact orientation@gmercyu.edu. 

Please see GMercyU's campus map to find the parking lot closest most convenient for you and your family. 

Meet Your Orientation Team Leaders!

Orientation Leader

Lindsay Anderson '24
About Me: Junior, Criminal Justice major, Commuter
Fun Fact: "I work as a Disney Princess for birthday parties and events!"
What I Love About GMercyU: "How small the class sizes are! It makes it so much easier to get to know your peers and for your professor to get to know you!"

  

Orientation Leader

 

Brooke Balkiewicz '24
About Me: Junior, Nursing major, Commuter
Fun Fact: "I have two pet ducks."
What I Love About GMercyU: "The sense of community on campus."

 

  

Orientation Leader

 

Christopher Bautista Jr. '23
About Me: Senior, Nursing major, Honors Program, Commuter
Fun Fact: "I am Filipino."
What I Love About GMercyU: "Can get around campus easily!"

 

 

Orientation Leader

 

Alicia Bennett '23
About Me: Senior, Nursing major, Psychology minor, Resident
Fun Fact: "I run cross country and track."
What I Love About GMercyU: "The small community."

 

 

Orientation Leader

 

Gustavo Velayos Bilbao '24
About Me: Junior, Marketing major, Resident
Fun Fact: "I am an international student from Spain."
What I Love About GMercyU: "Tennis."

 

 

Orientation Leader

 

Tarria Brown '23
Senior, Psychology major, Chemistry minor, Resident
Fun fact: "My dream car is an Audi-r8, and I love cats but have a dog named Bandit."
What I Love About GMercyU: "How beautiful the campus is. It feels inviting and serene."

 

Orientation Leader

 

Abby Eckert '23
Senior, Nursing major, Commuter
Fun fact: "I have been a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) since senior year of high school!"
What I Love About GMercyU: "The community."

 

 

Orientation Leader

 

Alyssa Fortunato '24
About Me: Junior, Nursing major, Psychology minor, Resident
Fun Fact: "I’ve traveled to Ireland, Spain, France, and Italy."
What I Love About GMercyU: "The people. I’ve made some of my best friends through Gwynedd."

 

 

Orientation Leader

 

Fallon Grandinetti '25
About Me: Sophomore, Nursing major, Resident
Fun Fact: "I like to color when I'm bored."
What I Love About GMercyU: "How easy it is to make friends."

 

 

Orientation Leader

 
Lauren Griffith '25
About Me: Sophomore, Respiratory Care major, Commuter
Fun Fact: "I managed my high school’s varsity football and boys basketball teams, and I also won a state championship with them!"
What I Love About GMercyU: "One thing I love about Gwynedd is the close knit community environment. Everyone on campus works together to help each other and provide an overall sense of inclusion."  

 

Orientation Leader

 

Justin Hartranft '25
About Me: Sophomore, Public Health major, Commuter
Fun Fact: "I play the guitar."
What I Love About GMercyU: "It’s a nice campus. It's small, but it’s secluded and has many walking trails."

 

  

Orientation Leader

 

Sydney Hertzog '24
About Me: Occupational Science major, Resident
Fun Fact: "I love buying and taking care of plants, and I currently have 27 total."
What I Love About GMercyU: "The ability to build meaningful connections with professors and advisors."

 

Orientation Leaders

Keirsten Hickey '23
About Me: Senior, Occupational Therapy major, Psychology Minor, Resident
Fun Fact: "I have a cat that lives on campus."
What I Love About GMercyU: "I love the tight knit relationships that develop and grow between students, staff, and the Gwynedd community."



Orientation Leaders

 Erin Huggard '25
About Me: Sophomore, Psychology major, Resident
Fun Fact: "I love Broadway musicals and adventures."
What I Love About GMercyU: "I love the community. I love how everyone comes together to created such amazing things for the students and staff. They also love to give back to the less fortunate which I love about them. The staff always tries to give back and help as much as they can."   

Orientation Leader

 
Elisabeth (Liz) Kerper '24
Junior, Gerontology major, Commuter
Fun Fact: "I can roller blade really well."
What I Love About GMercyU: "The friends and connections I have made."



Orientation Leader

Emma Larson '24
About Me: Junior, Early Education and Special Education major, Commuter
Fun Fact: "I have a learning disability and hearing disability."
What I Love About GMercyU: "How everyone makes each other feel accepted and feel like one big family."

 

 

Orientation Leader

 

Cheyanne Looby '24
About Me: Junior, Nursing major, Resident
Fun Fact: "I like to draw in my sketchbook, and paint."
What I Love About GMercyU: "The welcoming community, which makes it an easier environment to make new friends." 



Orientation Leader

 

Sarah Mboya '25
About Me: Sophomore, Nursing major, Resident
Fun Fact: "I'm from Kenya."
What I Love About GMercyU: "GMercyU is very inclusive, there's place for you in this community."

 

 

Orientation Leader

 

Katie McGovern '24
About Me: Junior, Early Education major, Resident
Fun Fact: "I have been dancing since I was two."
What I Love About GMercyU: "I was able to get hands-on experience in my field my freshman year."

 

Orientation Leader
Shannon McLaughlin '25
About Me: Sophomore, Sports Management major, Resident
Fun Fact: "I'm the youngest of four."
What I Love About GMercyU: "I love the people and the size of the campus."

 


Orientation Leader

 

Lourdes Mendez '24
About Me: Junior, Public Health major, Resident
Fun Fact: "I go to about 15 concerts a year."
What I Love About GMercyU: "How small the classrooms are so you are able to get one-on-one with the professors."

 

Orientation Leader

 

Patrick O'Neill '24
About Me: Junior, Psychology major, Criminal Justice minor, Resident
Fun Fact: "I have a pet bearded dragon named Liz."
What I Love About GMercyU: "The campus and amazing community of students and alumni."

 

 

Orientation Leader

 

Nyimeochen Owate '24
About Me: Junior, Nursing major, Resident
Fun Fact: "I have a HUGE sweet tooth."
What I Love About GMercyU: "The large amount of things we have to do, such as clubs and organizations."

  

Orientation Leader

 

Samantha Peralte '25
About Me: Sophomore, Nursing major, Resident
Fun Fact: "I used to play the violin, saxophone, and marimba."
What I Love About GMercyU: "I like how there are many clubs and activities to join. There is always something to do you look hard enough."

 
  Orientation Leader

Alyssa Quirk '24
Junior, Nursing major, Criminal Justice minor, Resident
Fun Fact: "I have been skydiving!"
What I Love About GMercyU: "The connectedness of everyone, from the small campus to the access to all of the resources."



Orientation Leader

 

Charlotte Walker '23
Senior, Psychology major, Resident
Fun Fact: "I own 100+ candles."
What I Love About GMercyU: "The support that the faculty and staff provide."

 

 

Orientation Leader

 

Ethan Wharton '25
About Me: Sophomore, Nursing major, Resident
Fun Fact: "My favorite hobby is photography."
What I Love About GMercyU: "How convenient the campus is."



Preview

Wondering what New Student Orientation is like? Here's a sneak peek!