Out of State Students See Snow

Salina Gets Snow as KWU Students Adjust to Winter Weather 

Over the past two weeks, Salina, Kansas, and the Kansas Wesleyan University (KWU) campus experienced a stretch of winter weather. Snow fell on three different days, followed by freezing temperatures. Nighttime lows dropped into the teens and, at times, below zero.

This type of Kansas winter weather is normal for the Midwest. However, many KWU students from the West Coast are not used to snow and cold temperatures.

Students From Warm Climates Face Winter Challenges

Junior baseball player Niko Olson said the weather caught him off guard after winter break. “I was definitely not prepared for this weather when we got back from break,” Olson said.

Olson transferred to KWU from the University of Santa Clara in California. Before arriving in Salina, he had never lived in a place with snow.

“My teammates told me to drip my faucets at home a few days ago, and I had no idea what they were talking about,” Olson said. He also explained that the snowfall in Salina was the first snow he had ever seen.

While this may surprise many Midwesterners, Olson is not alone. Several KWU students from warmer climates have struggled to adjust to winter on the KWU campus.

Winter Weather Impacts KWU Athletics and Daily Life

Baseball players Garrett Garfield and Fernando Ruvalcaba shared similar experiences from their first winters in Salina.

“Last year the snow was brutal,” Garfield said. “I didn’t bring the right shoes, so I had to buy boots. Living here has shown me how much the weather can affect your day-to-day life.”

After last week’s snowfall, Ruvalcaba said the change from California weather has been challenging. “California gets nothing like this,” he said. “Back home, I rarely think about the weather.”

“Here, your life revolves around the weather some days,” Ruvalcaba added. “We’ve already had six games canceled because it’s too cold to be outside and play.”

As winter continues, many KWU students are learning how snow in Salina affects daily routines, campus life, and athletics.