Overview
It’s time for EngFrosh 2024, and the Carleton Engineering and Design community is actively preparing to welcome the next class of Ravens to campus (and the Mackenzie quad!) this Fall. Spearheaded by the Carleton University Alumni Association – Engineering Chapter (CUAA-Eng), this campaign provides alumni with an opportunity to directly support EngFrosh.
This week-long fall orientation program – that we all know and love – takes place each September and serves as the launching point for new undergraduate students entering the Faculty of Engineering and Design (FED). For over 25 years, countless C-Eng alumni have taken part in EngFrosh. For many of us, we’ve also taken part well beyond our first year – we returned to the program as upper-year volunteers to recreate the same welcoming, helpful and energetic atmosphere that we experienced as Frosh. Now, as alumni, we still can’t get enough.
Every year, the CUAA-Eng collaborates with EngFrosh to generate financial support and create opportunities for alumni involvement in some of its flagship activities—including MarketSCOTT and Raft Building. To give back to the program that brought us all so much, we welcome you to donate today – our fundraising goal this year is $500. If you’ll be in Ottawa this September and are interested in joining us in-person, we also invite you to keep an eye out for calls-for-volunteers, which will be announced soon on our socials (@cuengalumni).
The Background
EngFrosh is more than an orientation to all things Ottawa, Carleton, and FED – it’s a celebration, and sets the tone for the entire undergraduate experience. During EngFrosh, students meet their best friends and future roommates; find their favourite hang-out spots; get to know their upper-year peers and mentors; and discover the clubs and extracurriculars that they’ll grow to love. The full week of activities sets up a positive social environment and helps shape the academic atmosphere for their years to come at Carleton and beyond.
The memories made during EngFrosh last a lifetime. We would know, because engineering and design professionals across the country, around the world, down the street or sharing the same living room still share stories and trade memories about their time at Carleton and participating in EngFrosh.
The Rollout
The CUAA-Eng supports EngFrosh financially, logistically, and socially. This year, alumni support will continue to elevate two of EngFrosh’s long-standing, fan-favourite events: MarketSCOTT and Raft Building.
Every year, EngFrosh teammates collaborate to design and build floating (hopefully!) rafts to race against one another the next day—it’s an EngFrosh right of passage. The CUAA-Eng plays an integral role in supporting the event and equipping each team with the supplies that they’ll need to make it happen. Through scavenger hunts, skill challenges and late-night snacks, participants work together to make sure their rafts float. Success is ultimately measured during Raft Racing the next morning, by how quickly each team can cross the finish line – and we supply the trophy, of course!
The CUAA-Eng also supports the weekend’s other main event: MarketSCOTT. In the past, alumni volunteers have been on-site in downtown Ottawa to help hand out lunch and have sponsored much needed cold drinks for the participants and student volunteers. In addition, we’re excited to once again be supporting the Wellness Tent! This area will provide a calm space for participants to recharge, take a break and enjoy some shade. We want to make sure it’s stocked for every team with snacks, drinks and great conversations.
The $500+ in funds that we hope to raise help contribute to these initiatives, and the CUAA-Eng is proud to facilitate your direct contribution. Any amount helps, as even small donations make a difference in welcoming incoming students into the C-Eng community as best we can!
The Impact
Donating your time and/or money towards the program helps to lessen the financial burden on EngFrosh and its participants. EngFrosh continues to rely on philanthropic support, especially as this initiative continues to grow.
This year, EngFrosh will include teams to welcome 700 first-year students to campus with the help of over 200 upper-year volunteers. It will introduce them to the collaboration, support and community that it takes to graduate and eventually become a Professional Engineer or design professional.
Championing EngFrosh and staying involved draws alumni back to support the event that helped shape our own undergraduate experiences. It connects generations of the Carleton community (past, present and future). Be it through donations, volunteering or mentorship support, alumni efforts enhance EngFrosh and build prestige for the reputation of Carleton University.