With a unique blend of valuable advice and lighthearted entertainment, the Good News Bears know how to liven up freshman orientation. These energetic students help freshmen break the ice and make the first step in their college careers a memorable one.

Dressed in orange polo shirts and paw print nametags, the Good News Bears keep orientation running smoothly. Since they’re current students, they offer firsthand advice to incoming freshmen. They also give tours, help with registration, lead sessions for parents and answer questions about everything from what to bring to how to study.

In addition to these orientation duties, the Good News Bears manage to have a little fun. The Bears spend quality time bonding with each other and with new students. They hold cookouts and scavenger hunts and bunk in Maglott for the “true freshman experience.”

This two-part feature introduces seven Good News Bears, each at different stages of their ONU careers – from veteran head Bears to rookies who were in the freshmen’s shoes just one year ago. They share their experiences as Good News Bears, as well as their best advice for a successful first year at ONU.

Haley Frank
Junior, technology major
Archbold, Ohio
First-year Bear

Haley Frank takes time from her busy summer schedule to show freshmen the ropes, a responsibility she sees as an important stage in the college process. "When freshmen come to orientation, they're typically a little nervous and unsure. Orientation helps them feel comfortable and excited to start school in the fall," says Frank.

As a first-year Bear, Frank gives tours and helps freshmen navigate the various orientation stations. "I usually help with registration, meaning I interact with a good portion of the freshmen. I get to see everybody and get a feel for the incoming freshman class."

When she's not busy as a Good News Bear, Frank can be found on campus all summer. She's taking classes, working at the Freed Center and doing tele-counseling as well. During the year, Frank's a prominent face around ONU - she's president of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers and the National Association of Industrial Technology, and she plays club soccer and helps with Relay for Life.

As she heads into her junior year, Frank affirms that college is a time for people to find out who they want to be, something she encourages freshmen to do. "You have to have an open mind and be outgoing. Great things aren't going to come to you. It's up to you to make them happen."

Kendra Hearn
Sophomore, pharmaceutical business
Warren, Ohio
First-year Bear

Kendra Hearn is ready to pitch in any way she can. This first-year Bear brings plenty of enthusiasm and a willingness to help freshmen. "I love meeting the new students and sharing my first-hand experiences with them," she says.

Like so many of her fellow Bears, Hearn remembered the Good News Bears who greeted her as a freshman and wanted to pass on her Northern knowledge.

When she's not acclimating freshmen to ONU, Hearn works as a beauty advisor at Walgreens. Earlier in the summer, she had the chance to travel to Florida with "Finding U @ ONU" for the National Conference on Race and Ethnicity.

Hearn lends her time and energy to numerous campus activities during the school year, including Student Senate, President's Club and varsity cheerleading. As a result, she's a prime example of getting involved, something she recommends to all new students. "Make the most of your time at ONU. Get to know everyone and be open to new people and experiences."

Benjamin McPheron
Junior, electrical engineering
Kenton, Ohio
First-year Bear

Summer orientation provides ample opportunity for freshmen and current students to branch out and meet new people. Although it's only his first year as a Good News Bear, Benjamin McPherson has already interacted with people he might not have otherwise. "Getting to meet new students and make new friends is really my favorite part of being a Bear," he says.

In addition to meeting people, McPheron fulfills another important part of his job description: answering questions. "I typically answer engineering-specific questions and serve as part of the student panel."

McPheron is spending the summer in nearby Kenton, Ohio, working as a drafting and engineering intern, but he gladly returns to campus to help new students make the transition from high school to college.

As a member of the Honors Program and the ONU cross county and track teams, McPheron has plenty of experience balancing school and extracurricular activities. His best advice, however, is simple: "Keep your door open. Chances are the people you get to meet your first year will be your friends for the rest of your life."

Kenny Ruth
Junior, marketing and communications major
Washington Court House, Ohio
First-year Bear

What started as an offhand idea for a summer job soon turned into an exciting opportunity for Kenny Ruth. "I heard about Good News Bears in a student e-mail and thought, ‘why not?' But when I heard what it was all about, I had to be a part of it," Ruth explains.

Although he's working at a marketing firm in Cincinnati most of the summer, Ruth returns to ONU to share his experiences and wisdom with incoming students, all in an effort to make their adjustment to Northern a smooth one.

Ruth lends his expertise to the student panel, where students are free to ask Bears any questions they may have about college life. He has plenty to draw upon with an extensive résumé of school-year activities: Student Planning Committee, Circle K, College Democrats, Students for the Advancement of Management and, in his words, "whatever else may pop up!"

For freshmen, Ruth's philosophy is to be yourself. "Don't be afraid to put yourself out there and make a mistake. Sometimes the best things come from mistakes, and chances are someone else is experiencing the same thing - you might just make a new friend."

Celeste Hughes
Senior, criminal justice major
Put-in-Bay, Ohio
Third-year Bear

Head Bear Celeste Hughes knew she wanted to be involved with the Good News Bears since her freshman orientation. “I remembered how much fun I had, so I applied at the end of my freshman year, and I’ve been coming back ever since,” says Hughes.

The Good News Bears play an important role in acclimating new students to ONU, and Hughes enjoys talking with new students and finding out what they’re looking forward to when school starts.

As head Bear, she now spends most of her time making sure everything is organized. “I do miss being a regular Bear simply because of the interaction I had with the new students.”

She advises freshmen to have fun and enjoy their first year. “Everyone is in the same position, so you’re not alone. Be open to new things and meeting new people. And keep your room door open because you never know who you might meet!”

Cynthia Nguyen
Fourth-year pharmacy major
Troy, Ohio
Third-year Bear

Cynthia Nguyen got her “paws” wet last year as an assistant head Bear, and now she has officially taken on the role of “momma Bear.”

This summer marks Nguyen’s third with the Bears. “I did something similar to Good News Bears in high school, and it was a neat experience. I just wanted to jump in and do the same at ONU,” says Nguyen. “Good News Bears serve as a link between the new students and their new experience, which I think is soothing.”

For Nguyen, the transition between freshman and sophomore years is remarkable. “I love to see the students who come back to be Good News Bears. They have so much more confidence.”

When it comes to advice, Nguyen believes saying “hi” is always a good place to start. “Try new things. Be open-minded.”

David Tietz
Fifth-year pharmacy major
Westerville, Ohio
Fourth-year Bear

It’s the thrill of meeting new students that keeps veteran Good News Bear David Tietz coming back each summer. “I enjoy being one of the first faces new students see as they begin life as a Polar Bear,” explains Tietz.

Now Tietz experiences the challenges and responsibilities of being one of three head Bears. As co-head Bear, Tietz helps keep the lines of communication open between the Good News Bears and campus personnel. He interviews potential new members and attends regular planning meetings.

When he’s not rounding up the Bears, Tietz spends his summer interning at a pharmacy in his hometown and doing event security at Nationwide Arena and Crew Stadium in Columbus. He also volunteers with the American Red Cross.

With four years of college under his belt, Tietz encourages freshmen to go the extra mile studying. “You can never be too prepared,” he says. “And don’t be afraid to talk to your professors. They’re very willing to help.”