It can be hard for any student, whether it be a freshman or senior, to transition into the routine of fall semester after summer. UNCWelcome is a series of events planned in order to aid in this transition.

The co-chairs of UNCWelcome are Jon Kapell, Associate Director of CAIC, and Annahita Smedal, Residence Coordinator. They have around 75 events planned.

Smedal said, “All students will receive a booklet containing all UNCWelcome events at least by mid-August.”

The booklets will be mailed to the student’s permanent address.

One of the first events scheduled is a performance by hypnotist Dr. Steve Taubman on Saturday, Aug. 16 at 8pm. The event will be in Trask Coliseum, following a welcome made by Kapell where he will also introduce some student leaders.

Last year was the first year that Taubman had ever performed at UNCW. Kapell decided to bring Taubman to UNCW because he had dealt with him for 7 years at a previous institution.

“He’s an easy guy to deal with, and he doesn’t leave the crowd disappointed,” Kapell said about Taubman.

Smedal said that UNCW usually had hypnotists on Move-In night, even before Taubman.

Last year about 1,000 students attended the hypnotist event. Kapell said that they had 30 chairs set up on stage for people that wished to be hypnotized and 50 people ended up on stage to become hypnotized by Taubman.

“It’s amazing to see what students will do,” Kapell said, “Taubman is really good because he makes it so it is not awkward but still entertaining.”

It costs $2500 to bring Taubman to UNCW. Kapell said that compared to other hypnotists that charge anywhere from $3500 to $4000, Taubman is fairly cheap.

“This event can really set the tone for the semester, so come out and take a look,” Kapell said.