Aug 24, 2026

Pratt welcomed new and returning students to campus with a full slate of activities to usher in the fall semester. Between picking up their Pratt ID cards and decorating their rooms, new students attended information sessions, took campus tours, made art, played games, and joined trips organized by Student Involvement to some of New York City’s most beloved sites—all while making new friends, meeting staff and faculty, and settling into an exciting new chapter at Pratt. 

Students bonded over shared interests and new experiences, taking part in favorite Pratt traditions, like the sunrise walk over the Brooklyn Bridge with President Frances Bronet, a trip to Coney Island amusement park and beach, and the Pratt Quest scavenger hunt. This year’s Pratt Quest invited students to locate key spots around campus, including the newly opened Student Wellness Center, which brings a wide range of health, counseling, and student support services together under one roof. 

“I really like New York City,” said Ellia Orndoff, BFA Fine Arts (Drawing) ’30. Orndoff had woken up early that day for the sunrise walk over the Brooklyn Bridge, followed by coffee with some new classmates. “I like that there are plenty of activities to do,” said Orndoff, who had already attended an orientation sketchbook binding workshop and explored the fine arts studio spaces. Now, they were taking the afternoon to rest after their morning excursion across the bridge. Looking ahead to the semester starting, Orndoff is most looking forward to Themes in Art and Culture I. “I love art history but I’ve never had an opportunity to actually take a class,” they said.

Two young people, both wearing bright blue t-shirts, stand at the entrance of a building. One has red hair and is smiling as they gesture with their hand, while the other has dark hair and is laughing. They appear to be in a welcoming or enthusiastic moment, with sunlight filtering through nearby trees. A sign is visible on the door behind them.
Orientation staff welcome new and returning students to campus
A young person with curly hair and glasses is hanging a framed artwork on a wall in a bright room. They are focused on positioning the artwork, which depicts a classroom scene. In the background, there is a blue and white checkered couch and a window letting in natural light.
Students moved in to residence halls and decorated their new spaces.
Three individuals are standing near a yellow cart in a park-like setting, surrounded by trees. One person, wearing a red shirt, appears to be speaking animatedly, while another person, dressed in black, is listening attentively. A banner hanging from a lamp post reads "Welcome to Pratt!" The ground is made of cobblestones, and there's a sidewalk visible in the background.
A beautiful move-in day on Pratt’s Brooklyn campus

Mariam Zaidan, BFA Fine Arts (Painting) ’30, didn’t know what to expect when she arrived at Pratt from Saudi Arabia, she said, but she’s excited to dive into everything Pratt and New York City have to offer. “I just want to create as much art as possible and explore the city as much as possible, and discover a lot about myself and other people,” Zaidan said. 

Information sessions throughout the week helped students get to know essential campus services and resources, as well as how to navigate and thrive on campus and in city life. Campus tours visited the Learning/Access Center, Activity Resource Center (ARC), library, cafeteria, academic buildings, and more. Department-specific gatherings provided opportunities to meet professors, participate in workshops, and get a feel for the classroom experience. Specialized sessions for incoming international, transfer, graduate, student athletes, first-gen, commuters, and others created chances to meet peers and build a community that will last throughout and beyond their college experience. 

A young person with long hair and a gray shirt is holding an item while interacting with two adults. One adult, wearing a white and yellow striped shirt, smiles and holds a card. The other adult, dressed in a black shirt, is also smiling and holds a container. They are in a light-colored room with a bed and other items visible in the background.
Parents help set up their child’s new residence hall.

Residential Life and Housing helped orchestrate moving new and returning students into their residence halls, while O-Staff were located around campus to assist as they settled into campus life, welcoming them into a community of creatives, makers, and innovators. 

Students dance with Pratt mascot Charlie the Cannoneer at the orientation Block Party.
A group of students is engaged in a drawing class in a bright studio. They are seated at wooden easels, each focusing on their artwork. In the center, an instructor stands confidently, guiding the class. The students have various hair colors and styles, and a few are sketching figures on their papers. The studio has a wooden floor and minimalistic design with large windows letting in natural light.
A live figure drawing session
New students get to know each other at the Block Party

Soram Jung, MFA Communications Design (Graphic Design) ’28, was impressed by the library on her first day at Pratt. “It’s really nice to see so many books focused on the arts,” she said. Jung, who is from South Korea, said she was excited to pursue research-driven projects, collaborating with classmates across disciplines to create work that extends beyond surface appearances.

Social activities including craft and hobby gatherings, open drawing sessions, and movie and game nights encouraged students to get to know their classmates while embracing a sense of curiosity and play. At an “Art Games” event in the library, they learned about multimedia library resources while playing games, including “Critato,” an artistic role-playing game (RPG) designed by a Pratt alumnus in 2023. Energy was also high at the annual Block Party, where students gathered in the East Hall Plaza for food, music, games, and festivities.

A group of young people is engaged in creating designs on T-shirts at an outdoor event. One person wears a black Gorillaz shirt while another focuses on a white T-shirt laid out on the table. Various art supplies, including stamps and paints, are scattered across the table. Others in the background are participating, with some seated and others standing, showcasing a lively atmosphere.
Block printing custom t-shirts on campus
A group of diverse individuals are engaged in an outdoor creative activity. In the foreground, two people are focused on tying or dyeing fabric, surrounded by various materials like dye, rubber bands, and bottles. Others can be seen in the background, some standing and conversing, while others work on their projects on a large white tarp laid on the grass. The atmosphere appears collaborative and artistic, with trees and a building visible nearby.
Tie-dying activity on campus
A cluttered table filled with various crafting supplies, including colored paper, scissors, glue, markers, and pom-poms. Several people are engaged in a creative activity, with one person using scissors and another drawing on a tote bag. The scene captures an interactive and artistic atmosphere, with supplies scattered around and vibrant colors present.
Craft and hobby night
Four friends are smiling and enjoying cotton candy at a table. They are playfully raising their cotton candy sticks towards each other, with pink fluffy cotton candy on the ends. The setting is dimly lit, with brick walls and trees in the background, capturing a fun, social atmosphere.
Celebrating with cotton candy at the Block Party

Throughout the week, there was also a chance to explore the world-class contemporary arts and culture scene in the city, with group visits to museums and galleries. For practical needs, trips were also organized to Target and Ikea to stock up on residence hall essentials. 

With the first day of classes on the horizon, orientation offered a chance for all to explore campus life, find their footing in the city, and embark on their journeys as members of the vibrant Pratt community. The week marked a first step for new students as they prepare to explore their academic interests, grow their creative and professional practices, and leave their unique mark on the world.

Two individuals stand on a bridge facing a sunset over a river. The sky is painted with soft clouds in shades of orange and blue. One person, wearing a striped sweater, has their hair in a braid, while the other, wearing glasses, rests their hand on their face, deep in thought. The background features a city skyline and a horizon slightly blurred by the setting sun's light.
Students on the annual Brooklyn Bridge sunrise walk