“This is how I imagined university would be,” said Leili Nurieva, BArch ’30, sitting on a bench opposite the Student Union in between orientation sessions. “The scenery, the trees, the walking paths—it’s giving fall.”
Nuri, who came to campus for orientation week from Seattle, was looking forward to a session on how to travel around New York. She said that she was most excited to explore her artistic potential in upcoming studios.
With the arrival of the new academic year, Pratt’s campus is once again bustling with activity as first-year students begin a new chapter in their lives and returning students pick up where they left off. Student Involvement rolled out the red carpet with dozens of welcome events, fun activities, city tours, and group trips, allowing students to settle into their new environment, meet Pratt staff and faculty, and make friends.
This year’s incoming class—first-year, transfer, and new graduate students—represents almost all 50 US states and approximately 60 countries.
President Frances Bronet, Vice President for Student Affairs Delmy M. Lendof, and representatives from Student Involvement, Residential Life and Housing, and other areas greeted students at different events, welcoming them into a vibrant community where they will shape ideas, develop their practice, and prepare to make an impact in the world.
Common experience sessions gave students a sense of what they can expect in their first year, and dedicated informational sessions throughout the week introduced them to campus services and resources such as health care, counseling, Campus Safety, food service, and public transit, as well as how to get involved on campus and in city life. Campus tours took students to the Learning/Access Center, ARC, library, cafeteria, academic buildings, and more. Academic meetings with departments provided opportunities to meet professors, participate in workshops, and get a feel for the classroom experience. Specialized sessions for incoming international, transfer, graduate, and other students created chances to build community.
Students participated in a variety of creative activities, including live drawing, book binding, creative journaling, and button-making. While decorating a tote bag at the library, Isabela Sala, BFA Writing ’29, shared that she was drawn to Pratt because of the strength of its writing and film programs.
“I want to write stories for film,” Sala said, adding that she’s most interested in creating fantasy worlds in the vein of Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson series.
Colette Duncan, BFA Film ’29, said that her dad is a Pratt alum, so she had visited the campus before and loved its calm serenity. She was looking forward to a dedicated session for Film/Video students and delving into the ins and outs of production design in her classes.
In what has become a favorite Pratt tradition, President Bronet and students walked from campus to the Brooklyn Bridge to see the sunrise, getting to know one another and marveling at the city coming to life.
Pratt Quest sent groups of students racing around campus to win prizes. The annual app-based scavenger hunt is a great time to make friends, get to know campus staff, and learn the location of different Pratt buildings and landmarks.
“Now I know where the different offices are because we had to find them,” said Augusto Rodriguez, BID ’28, on his way to the cafeteria.
Rodriguez, who transferred from the Universidad del Sagrado Corazón in Puerto Rico, said that he’s inspired by the printmaker Lorenzo Homar, who took night classes in painting, design, and typography at Pratt in the ’50s.
“As a kid, I wanted to make toys,” he said. “You can make anything with design.”
Aaron Langensiepen, BFA Digital Arts (3-D Animation and Motion Arts), said that his artistic inspiration grew from classic superhero comics, particularly the illustrations of Jack Kirby. He appreciated the sense of safety and calm he felt on Pratt’s campus and enjoyed the Block Party in the redesigned East Hall Plaza.
“It was a great way to connect with others and see the casual side of college life,” Langensiepen said.
Throughout the week, students played games and sports in the ARC, shared poetry and reflections at an open mic in the Textile Dye Garden, got creative in a zine-making workshop, and grooved to silent disco.
They explored the dynamic cultural landscape that makes New York City so iconic. Groups visited the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Fort Greene, Coney Island, Union Square, the High Line, Little Island, Times Square, Central Park, Chinatown, Little Italy, Governors Island, and elsewhere. There were also opportunities to go gallery hopping in Soho, browse flea markets in Chelsea and DUMBO, and visit world-famous museums, including the Brooklyn Museum and the Whitney Museum of American Art.
Orientation week introduced students to the exciting possibilities of life at Pratt, equipping them with knowledge and resources for the semester ahead while offering plenty of chances to connect, explore, and have fun in their new home.
