For students looking into post secondary education in the fall, St. Peter’s College was the place to be on Jan. 27 as the college hosted their open house.
After going several years without one, the college elected to bring it back this year as a way to not only welcome students but to welcome the community, noted Student Services Officer Andrew Hartman.
“A lot of people know about us in the community but a lot of people haven’t been in the college since the renovations. So we wanted to really open our doors and let students and the community know what we’re all about.”
And the open house is not the only event where Hartman says the community is welcome.
“We have a lot of events open to the community and that they’re welcome to come and join us in all of our festivities.”
The open house played host to approximately 35 potential students from across the province including Estevan, North Battleford, Yorkton, and the local area, noted Hartman. Seeing students coming from so far away is a testament to the message of St. Peter’s College getting out there.
“We always brag about being that best first year experience. We had 10 alumni from last year come out because they wanted to give back because their experience was so great. I think that messaging has started to get out there across the province with all of our recruitment efforts.”
Seeing the alumni back to help out shows the college that they are doing something right.
This is great to see, he says.
“When they’re first there, they’re like, ‘Andrew we’re going to go run around the college, we want to reminisce.’”
Hartman also notes he heard comments from alumni who says they were sad they came back because it means they have to leave again.
“I just think that that shows we’re attracting people from all over the province just how much of a strong connection they can have to the institution.”
The day featured a number of different seminars for students and parents to take part in, including a panel discussion aimed at the parents, and one aimed at the students, various presentations centered upon various programs available at St. Peter’s, residence tours, as well as application support, for students who are looking to apply.
With so much information available to the students, Hartman says he hopes the students came away from the open house with a better understanding of how welcoming St. Peter’s College is.
“A lot of our students talk about it being home. I really felt when (the potential students) were there, all the staff and volunteers helped them feel at home and that they could see themselves there potentially.”
Overall, Hartman was pleased with the “phenomenal” open house.
“It well exceeded my expectations just all the presentations, the volunteers, the students and the parents and how much they were interacting with everyone. I was really worried with the snowstorm the day before and that didn’t seem to deter anyone from coming out.”
