Ogden Preparatory Academy students learn about college life at Weber State University
One hundred Ogden Preparatory Academy seventh graders excitedly hopped on a bus to learn about college life at a nearby university – Weber State University.
Touring Weber State
Visiting a classroom
Exploring the campus outdoors
Weber State University ambassadors showed students various buildings and the programs located within them. Elizabeth Hall and the communication major were highlighted, along with the McKay Education Building and the education program. A few students raised their hands excitedly when the ambassadors asked who wanted to be a teacher when they grew up.
Students interacted with the Louis F. Moench statue, WSU’s first principal, and rubbed his boot for good luck, and counted twelve dings ringing from the Stewart Bell Tower signaling the time.
The tour continued at the Ott Planetarium, where students watched a presentation that explored each of the planets in the solar system and what makes them unique. After the presentation, students asked questions about space.
WSU’s Shepherd Union offered students various lunch options. During lunch, OPA students experienced some of WSU’s student life by watching college students sing karaoke and visiting booths from various clubs and campus resources.
Upstairs in the Shepherd Union, the group listened to a presentation about Weber State University and its programs. The presenter asked students what they wanted to be when they grew up. Some share aspirations of becoming mechanics and doctors.
The presenter shared how students can pay for college using loans, grants and scholarships. Presenters added that students can earn the presidential, trustees, dean’s or merit scholarships based on their high school grade point average and the ACT score.
After learning about the campus in general, students experienced a cybersecurity deep dive by Dr. Zahraddeen Gwarzo, where they learned about how hackers get information from computers. The students were engaged in the activity and asked insightful tech safety questions.
Students concluded that they enjoyed their time on the tour. One student said many of her family members attended Weber State University. She wasn’t sure if she wants to attend but would consider WSU if her path leads her there.