The University of Missouri-Rolla admissions office has teamed with the Rolla Area Chamber of Commerce and nearly 30 local businesses to present “Discover Rolla,” an opportunity for incoming UMR freshmen to get acquainted with their home away from home. The program is part of UMR’s Orientation Week activities, held Aug. 14-19.

New UMR students will receive a bingo-type card in their orientation packets during Convocation on Monday, Aug. 14. Throughout the next week and a half, as they browse participating local businesses, they have a chance to get their card stamped. Students answering trivia questions and earning stamps from at least 16 of the businesses will be entered in a prize drawing to be held during UMR’s “Project Success” on Sept. 10. Local businesses have donated prizes such as a DVD player, a semester of free books and gift certificates to local establishments. In addition, many business owners are offering the students drawings of their own.

“Our goal is to expose UMR freshmen and transfer students to the wealth of local business opportunities Rolla has to offer them,” says Amanda Norton, of the UMR admissions office. “Many of the local businesses are excited about the chance to reach UMR’s new students so early in their time in Rolla. We look forward to expanding this opportunity next fall.”