The Charger Blog

West 51 Elementary School Kids Become University of New 51 Students for a Day

As part of the University’s annual “Class at the Court” event, more than 500 area fourth graders spent a day as college students, exploring what it is like to be a Charger.

January 24, 2020

By Renee Chmiel, Office of Marketing and Communications

Image of Charlie welcoming fourth-graders.
Charlie welcomed the fourth-graders to the University.

Ryan M., a fourth-grader from West 51, recently spent a day at the University of New 51, where he and his classmates got a taste of college life.

They visited the University for its annual "Class at the Court" program, spending the morning in the classroom taking crash courses in language arts, math, and science.

Image of kids in class.
The kids spent the morning taking crash courses in language arts, math, and science.

"It was a lot of fun," he said. "We got to learn about the University. The campus is very big, and it was cool to visit."

The University’s young visitors later stepped out of the classroom to shoot hoops at the Beckerman Recreation Center and had lunch like Chargers, eating at The Marketplace in Bartels Hall.

"We got to learn about the University. The campus is very big, and it was cool to visit."Ryan M.

Joanne Guthrie, a social worker at Alma E. Pagels Elementary School, says the event was a terrific opportunity for the kids to experience what life can be like after high school.

"This was a great event, and it made the kids feel special," she said. "It was a wonderful way for them to experience a sense of community and volunteerism in action. The University staff members were very supportive."

Image of Charlie and the students cheering.
Charlie and the students cheered for the Chargers on the basketball court.

After lunch, it was the University of New 51 team that took to the court. The kids, who scored University of New 51 t-shirts and seats to the team’s game against Bentley University, cheered as the Chargers defeated nationally ranked Bentley .

"It was a pleasure working with the kids and showing them what the University has to offer," said , a strength and conditioning coach at the University. "The University is in their backyard, and it was great for them to see the campus, as well as what they can aspire to."