JWU Family e-Newsletter
May 2021
GRAD WALKS THIS WEEK

JWU is honored to recognize graduates from the Classes of 2021 and 2020, undergraduate and graduate, in Grad Walks starting May 5. Students and two guests each were invited to participate and spend some additional time on campus. If your student is among them, congratulations! They've persevered through unprecedented times.

We invite all members of the JWU community to support our graduates by tuning in to live streams of the Grad Walks (each video stream goes live 15 minutes before the published start time):

  • May 5 starting @ 9 am: All Class of 2020 undergraduate programs Video Stream
  • May 6 starting @ 9 am: Class of 2020 and 2021 Grad School Video Stream
  • May 7 starting @ 9 am: Class of 2021 CFIT and Health & Wellness undergraduate programs Morning Video Stream
  • May 7 starting at 1 pm: Class of 2021 Engineering & Design and Hospitality Management undergraduate programs Afternoon Video Stream
  • May 8 starting at 9 am: Class of 2021 Business and Arts & Sciences undergraduate programs Video Stream

For more information, visit our website. Congratulations to our graduates, and their families!
ONCE A WILDCAT, ALWAYS A WILDCAT

The Alumni Relations team is here to help graduating seniors remain connected to the university and build relationships with their fellow alums. We host virtual events where alumni can continue to learn from faculty and interact with each other. We also offer professional development programs about relevant topics and industry trends, and are excited to, once again, host in-person events when it is safe to gather. All resources, including the calendar of upcoming events, can be found at our website.  
 
JWU Alumni Connect can also be accessed from our website. JWU Alumni Connect is our online platform for finding and messaging classmates, volunteering at the university, developing mentorship opportunities and much more. This interactive platform is available exclusively to JWU alumni, faculty and staff, and will be a valuable resource for graduating seniors. One of the best ways to stay up to date with JWU alumni is to follow us on social media—Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn. We will also email our newest alums with this information and more in the coming months. 

Our sincerest congratulations to families of graduates. Enjoy the celebrations and encourage your Wildcat to stay in contact with their alma mater. We will be in touch soon!
OCSS DECKS OUT THE DEN

To celebrate the great accomplishments of the Class of 2021, Off-Campus Student Services dedicated a paw to each commuter student graduating this May. We invite everyone who will be on campus for the Grad Walk to stop by the Den, at 35 Richmond Street, Downcity, and view our window display. If you are the family member of a graduating commuter, make sure you search for your student's personalized paw. 
CONGRATULATING STUDENT LEADERS

Student Engagement is pleased to share news of notable student leader positions recently announced. First, Davis Jean-Noel, a member of the Class of 2021, was elected to Collegiate DECA's 2021-22 Executive Officer Team during its recent virtual International Career Development Conference. Davis was involved in DECA throughout his enrollment and we are thrilled to have him represent JWU in this prestigious position, as an alum.

Jacob Tonseth, president of JWU's 2020-21 Student Government Association, recently led a virtual update to the university community. He and his fellow officers reported on SGA's many accomplishments and in the tradition of SGA's Passing the Gavel ceremony, next year's SGA officers were announced:
  • Garett Koch, President
  • Lily Delaney, Vice President
  • Madel Brady, Treasurer
  • Rosa Martinez-Chico, Secretary
  • Kenna Kardian, Senator
  • Katiah Scott, Senator

Congratulations to all current and future student leaders. They are instrumental in making a difference at JWU and impacting the experience of their peers. Your student can get involved and explore leadership positions with organizations like DECA, SGA and lots more. Attending Involvement Fest next fall, on Friday, Sept. 3, is a great way to start.
SAFS CHECKLIST FOR FALL

If your student will be an enrolled Wildcat in the Fall Semester, make note of these reminders from Student Academic & Financial Services.
 
  1. Confirm your student has registered for courses (or internship, if applicable).
  2. Start finalizing financial aid and payment arrangements (fall invoices will be ready soon).
  3. If you haven’t renewed your 2021-22 FAFSA Form, do so now.
  4. See the 2021-22 academic calendar for class start/end dates, holidays, deadlines and other key dates.
  5. Continue looking for official email notices throughout summer.
 
Questions? Need help? No problem! Please don’t hesitate to contact an academic counselor or financial planner.
CAMPUS DINING PICNIC A SUCCESS

Wildcats had a great time at Campus Dining's recent picnic day. The sun was shining Downcity and at Harborside – it was a perfect day to get outside! Students celebrated the end of the year with a great outdoor grilled lunch, a t-shirt giveaway, bubbles, sidewalk chalk, and more. 

Campus Dining is already gearing up for our fall return. Be sure to follow our social media (jwu providence campus dining on Facebook or jwupvdcampusdining on Instagram) during the summer months for updates and important information. Also feel free to email us with any questions or comments.

From all of us at Campus Dining, congratulations to parents and families of this year's graduates! We can’t wait to welcome back other Wildcats in the fall.
FALL HOUSING INFO

It's been a different but great year in on-campus housing and Residential Life thanks all students who lived in our halls. We are hard at work making plans for next year and look forward to welcoming even more Wildcats to their home away from home.

Please encourage your Wildcat to check their JWU email over the summer for more information about housing selection (beginning end of July) and Fall 2021 move-in. Have a great summer!
SUMMER ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES

When presented with COVID challenges like the elimination of gatherings, Student Engagement pivoted to a menu of diverse virtual event offerings. Trivia and bingo were the most popular, and events like Paint Night and the Diversity Dialogue Series were also in high demand.

As the year went on, we incorporated socially distant make & take events like build-a-bear. We challenged students to find Willie when he was wandering around campus, and even hosted a great Battle of the Campus recently (team Guns 'n Roses is pictured above).

We look forward to a return to in-person activities in the fall but before then, we will continue popular virtual activities over the summer. Whether your student participated throughout this academic year or not, they should take advantage of opportunities to stay connected to JWU and their peers. Following @jwupvdinvolved on Instagram is the best way to keep up with our offerings.
ACCESSIBILITY SERVICES AVAILABLE THIS SUMMER

First and foremost, congratulations to the JWU Class of 2021! Their hard work paid off and we are so incredibly proud of every graduate.

For families of undergraduates, know that Accessibility Services is here throughout the summer. If your student needs to update their documentation or if you have any questions about our services, please contact us by phone at 401-598-4660 or by email. Note that documentation can be faxed to 401-598-4657.

Summer office hours begin May 10 and are 9 am to 3 pm, Monday through Thursday. In-person meetings are by appointment only. We hope everyone enjoys a great summer. Stay safe and be well!
ATHLETICS TAILGATE AT HFW

Athletics invites all families to save the date for the Homecoming & Family Weekend Tailgate on October 9, 2021, at the Scotts Miracle-Gro Complex on the Harborside Campus. Spirited fans can drop by any time during the day to cheer on our soccer and field hockey teams and are encouraged to bring their own food and beverages into the tailgate area. With lawn games, face painting, Willie the mascot and other booths and fun activities, there will be plenty of entertainment for fans of all ages. Plan to come and show your Wildcat spirit! Updates can be found on our website under the Tradition tab. 
 
Is your student interested in varsity competition?
Current JWU students interested in trying out for a varsity team should contact our head coaches for more information about specific informational meetings and tryout dates. Go Wildcats!
Mark Your Calendars
HOMECOMING & FAMILY WEEKEND

Great news! JWU's Providence Campus will host in-person Homecoming & Family Weekend next fall, from Oct. 8 - 10. And after the past year we've all had, it will be wonderful to get the whole JWU community of students, families, faculty and staff back together.

Mark your calendar now and stay tuned for more details. Start to plan travel and book hotels accommodations as needed (select refundable options if you are able to, in the event of any unanticipated interruptions like COVID). Our Homecoming & Family Weekend website will be updated by mid-August.
IMPORTANT DATES

May 5: Residence halls close @ noon (except Grad Walk participants)
May 5 - 8: Grad Walks (vary by college; more details above)
July 28: Fall payment deadline
August 30: Fall semester classes begin

Visit the official University calendar for important dates. The 2021-22 academic calendar is available online for your planning purposes. As stated, note that dates are subject to change.
JWU Parent & Family Community
PFAB WRAPS UP THE YEAR

In its final virtual meeting of the year, the Parent & Family Advisory Board (PFAB) thanked outgoing members Ken Farley, Dawn Kenney, James Kenney, Chika McIntosh and Kerry McKinnon for their dedication and service. We congratulate them on their students' upcoming graduation.

PFAB had a great year, despite the pandemic. The group was proud to interact with JWU families during Homecoming & Family Weekend and four separate PFAB chats conducted via Zoom. They also contributed to conversation on our parent & family social media and penned articles for the monthly e-newsletter.

Next year's PFAB executive council consists of David Rubin, chair, Lori Pisacane, vice chair, Michelle Willey, secretary, and Janice Bruce, liaison. They will join returning and new members in volunteer roles, collaboration with university staff, and more. If you are interested in learning more about PFAB and possibly joining this group, visit this website and apply. Past and current PFAB members consider their involvement and the camaraderie they develop to be highly rewarding.
FAMILY SURVEY OF THE MONTH

In our final survey of the year, please take a minute to share your thoughts on family-focused services and resources at JWU. Let us know if we're meeting your needs and if not, how we might do so. Thank you!
Families Supporting Wildcats
HONOR THE CLASS OF 2021

There’s no doubt the Class of 2021 has faced many challenges over the past year. But our seniors have remained true to the Wildcat Way—Pride, Courage, Character and Community—and persevered through it all. We’re so proud of the hundreds of graduates who will soon join the ranks of JWU alumni.

You can honor your own graduating senior, or celebrate the entire Class of 2021 and all they’ve accomplished, by making a gift to Johnson & Wales. Your gift can be designated to an area important to your student, like Athletics or Student Clubs & Organizations, or you can choose for your donation to be utilized where it’s needed most. No matter what you choose, your gift will help bolster JWU for the future and sustain the unique JWU experience for current and future Wildcats.

Congratulations Class of 2021, and Forever JWU!
We Want To Hear From You!
JWU Parent & Family Relations serves as a liaison to parents and family members of incoming and current students through communication and programs. This monthly e-Newsletter helps you stay connected to your student as you journey with them through their JWU experience.