As a new addition to the Wildcat Welcome, the first “”All You Need to Know About Being a Wildcat”” event highlighted issues of UA tradition and heritage last night at the Student Union Memorial Center.

“”You have more of an appreciation for something when you know more about it,”” said Kelley Prust, director of membership and marketing for the UA Alumni Association. “”This is the first year we’ve done ‘Wildcat’ and one of the biggest goals of the Alumni Association is to keep the heritage and traditions of the university alive.””

Geared toward freshmen, but welcoming all class years, “”Wildcat”” offers a brief history of the foundation of the university, including obscure facts and some questions and answers that highlighted the benefits of becoming a university alumnus.

“”Wildcat”” was organized by the Alumni Association and attended by its president Christopher Vlahos, agricultural education professor James Knight, several members of the ambassador club and members of Bobcats, a student organization that encourages the partnership of students and alumni.

“”A university is more than just the four years that you’re here,”” Knight said. “”This is a major institution in America – in research, in teaching and in all that we do here. If we could get our students to understand early on that they are a part of something that will really pay off in the long run, the more likely they will have success.””

“”Wildcat”” encourages students to become involved in their surroundings to gain a sense of pride for the university.

Tanya Radisavljevic, a journalism senior, agreed with encouraging campus participation, saying, “”Get involved, guys. Go out there a be a part of the university.””

As a member of Bobcat, Radisavljevic works to inform students of the potential benefits of student-alumni connections. “”Wildcat,”” run in part by the Student Alumni Association in conjunction with its parent association, encourages young students to complete their studies at the UA and to join the network of Arizona Alumni.

“”For their first step, get involved on campus,”” Prust said. “”Go to the first home football game this Saturday. Sporting events is where you really feel the pride that is almost electric. That is so important for the freshmen to experience right off the bat, so they feel like they want to be a part of the Wildcat family.””

“”Wildcat””, which hopes to become a yearly, or bi-yearly event, will continue to be a part of Wildcat Welcome. Future events will hopefully include more members of the Alumni Association and more students willing to be educated on the tradition and history of the university, Prust said.

Wildcat Welcome will continue until the end of this week.