2017 BHP Leadership Kickoff – Explained from A to Z

Written by Katelyn Barclay – BHP Leadership Kickoff Co-Chair

Whenever I talk to someone about the Business Honors Program, I can’t just discuss the incredible professors or the amazing academic and professional opportunities. There’s an intangible that every single BHP student has experienced since Day 1: the tight-knit community. And when I say Day 1, I mean it; it’s the first weekend after classes begin at Leadership Kickoff that the foundations for such a strong community are built over the course of a jam-packed, 2-day retreat at Newcombe Tennis Ranch – and this year was no exception!

This past weekend, BHP’s 107 newest members had the opportunity to participate in countless bonding and leadership activities to prepare them for their next 4 years on the 40 Acres. Here are the highlights from A to Z:

Alumni shared their passion for the BHP and advice from their time on the 40 Acres in the Alumni Video shown at the end of the Convocation Ceremony

BHPlayoffs brought out the competitive side of the BHPhreshmen as Peer Mentor groups competed in various games to be crowned the winners and take home highly coveted BHP mugs

Convocation Ceremony allowed everyone to trade in their athletic wear for business casual and acted as the Class of 2021’s official entrance into the Business Honors Program

Dr. Prentice joined everyone on Day 2 to help welcome the freshmen into the BHP at the beginning of Convocation

Ethics Board gave an incredible speech during the Convocation Ceremony to highlight the importance of ethics in business as the freshmen begin their time in McCombs

Fireside Chats with Peer Mentor groups allowed the freshmen to bond with their new classmates after a long day on the ropes courses

Great Company all-around made this weekend unforgettable

HBA Exec greatly assisted with every aspect of the weekend, from low ropes to meal groups and everything in between

Ice Cream cooled everyone down after a long first day in the Texas heat

Jokes and memories were formed this weekend amongst the freshmen class, just ask them about the Blind Maze!

Karaoke let everyone break out of their shells, including a group of guys who chose to sing and dance to Beyoncé’s Single Ladies

Letters from Older Members were given to each freshmen to allow them to have an unofficial mentor to assist them with their transition to college in any way possible

Meal Groups brought together freshmen from different Peer Mentor groups for two meals over the course of the weekend to help them get to know their new classmates better

Newcombe Tennis Ranch was the perfect setting for the weekend and helped accommodate us in every way possible over the course of the weekend; we couldn’t be more grateful for them!

Opportunities were shared with the freshmen so they could begin getting involved in all that BHP, McCombs and UT have to offer the moment they returned to campus

Peer Mentors were a tremendous help over the course of the weekend for both myself and my co-chair Suchin, as well as each of their 9 new mentees

Quick is how anyone who attended Kickoff would describe it; the weekend went by in a blur

Ropes Courses, both high and low, truly allowed each Peer Mentor group to bond by facing their fear of heights and working together to navigate mazes and solve puzzles

Speed Dating helped freshmen to get to know each other on the hour-long bus ride to Kickoff by answering questions about their favorite movies or hidden talents

Tisha’s BHP Remix of Despacito brought the entire audience to their feet with her amazing voice and clever lyrics

Uniting the 107 newest members of the BHP in 30 short hours was not an easy feat, but we hope that they feel prepared to tackle college with their new BHPhamily

Views from the top of the high ropes course were so worth it, just ask any freshman

Welcoming the Class of 2021 to the Business Honors Program is hands down one of the most fulfilling roles that Suchin and I have had the honor of holding; we can’t wait to see what incredible things they go on to achieve!

Xcitement could be felt all around the Hall of Honors as freshmen checked in on Day 1 and waited to board the buses for an incredible retreat ahead

thank You to Tisha, Paul, Greta, Dr. Prentice, Shelley, Lynn and all of the amazing Student Leaders for helping to make this past weekend as incredible as it was; we could not have done it without you

Zzz’s are what everyone needed after such a busy weekend full of community and leadership building

While Leadership Kickoff 2017 may have ended, this is just the beginning for the Class of 2021. We can’t wait to see how you each change the world, in true longhorn fashion!