LWC freshman are here. Begin to climb their mountain

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School officials are expecting another record enrollment this year

There are over 4,000 colleges and universities in America and we are honored that you have chosen us- PRESIDENT LUCKEY

By Duane Bonifer, LWC Director of Public Affairs

More than 400 new students arrived at Lindsey Wilson College on Saturday morning to register for the 2008-09 school year. But the students didn't simply sign up or move into a residence hall rooms. Rather, than they were immersed into the Lindsey Wilson community.

A series of events and activities quickly absorbed all new students the moment they and their family members stepped on to the A.P. White Campus on Saturday. The day's events included a matriculation ceremony in Biggers Sports Center, picnic at the Emily Hundley President's Home and an outdoor movie. Special events continued on Sunday through Tuesday as new students took part in special activities, met with advisers and were introduced to their professors. Fall semester classes begin on Wedneday.



Vice President Adams: Lindsey Wilson is unique institution

"It's important that new students understand immediately that there is something special about becoming part of the Lindsey Wilson family," said Vice President for Student Services & Enrollment Management Dean Adams. "We wanted to communicate to new students that Lindsey Wilson is a unique institution where the student is at the center of academic and campus life. Our students are at the center of everything we do at Lindsey Wilson."

Many returning students also took a different path back to campus. Student-athletes, international students, the Bonner Leaders, peer leaders and residence life leaders all held various retreats to set goals for the upcoming school year. Other student groups plan to hold mini-retreats during the first few weeks of the fall semester.

"Although Lindsey Wilson is a small college where students already receive a great deal of individual attention from faculty and staff, it's important that our various groups took the time to talk about what they want to accomplish during this school year and what they can do to enrich campus life," Adams said.

Before 8:00am CT on Saturday, August 16, 2008, new students, accompanied by family members and friends, began to arrive on campus. Many of the new students were destined to live the college's residence halls. Lindsey Wilson officials anticipate that about 720 students will live in residence hall this year, and more than 300 of those students will be freshman.

College's total enrollment expected to top 1,850

The college's total enrollment this school year is anticipated to once again top 1,850.

Many of the freshman residential students who arrived on Saturday morning were not unlike Lauren Blackford and Mackinsey Wheeler.

The two freshmen from Western Kentucky decided to become roommates after hitting it off at last winter's John B. Begley Scholars Day. Blackford, who is from Auburn, KY, said she has known that she wanted to attend Lindsey Wilson since her junior year of high school.

"I fell in love with the campus the first time I was here, and I just knew this was the place I wanted to be," she said.

Wheeler, who is from Elkton, KY, was attracted to Lindsey Wilson because of the opportunity to play on its nationally ranked women's soccer program.

Over the summer, the two roommates coordinated their Phillips Hall room's colors (pink and brown) and decided which furnishings they needed (two pink-and-brown bulletin boards, two micro refrigerators, two ottomans and a futon).

Thanks to help from members of the volleyball team, the two freshmen unpacked and decorated their second-floor room before noon Saturday. Blackford's mother, Jenny, had helped her hang pink curtains on the room's window, which overlooks Raider Field, the home of LWC's soccer programs.

But despite their seemingly thorough planning, the two soon realized they had forgotten a few critical items - including duct tape, creamer for coffee and at least one electrical extension cord.

"I think we'll be OK after we take care of those things," Wheeler said during lunch at Roberta D. Cranmer Dining & Conference Center.

Jaclyn Taylor of Columbia, KY, new resident of Phillips Hall

For freshman Jaclyn Taylor of Columbia, the issue wasn't so much forgetting anything as it was packing too many items for her second-floor Phillips Hall room.

"I told you that you should have left stuff at home to see what you had room for first," said Taylor's father, Bryan.

Later in the day, at the matriculation ceremony in Biggers Sports Center, LWC President William T. Luckey Jr. told freshmen to "seize it, capture it, kick it, have no regrets" about their first semester in college.

"There are over 4,000 colleges and universities in America and we are honored that you have chosen us," Luckey said. "At the same time, I want you to understand that we have chosen you. We have chosen you because we believe that we can help you be successful at Lindsey Wilson College."

President Luckey: We believe you can be successful

Luckey reminded the students that a big reason many of them had the opportunity to attend college was because of the sacrifices others had made for them."

"Someone has made or is making a substantial investment in you so that you can be here today," he said. "I'm asking you to give me the best that you've got. ... Give your best to this faculty, to this staff, to this family, to your loved ones and to yourself."

Luckey told the students that they have an "incredible opportunity" at Lindsey Wilson.

"What an incredible opportunity you have right here before you beginning today - an opportunity to study with a gifted faculty that wants to help you be successful," he said. "This college has consistently been ranked in the top 10 percent of all colleges in terms of being a supportive campus environment."

Also at the matriculation ceremony, freshmen were told that the theme of their first year in college is "There's Your Mountain - Go Climb It."

"There are plenty of people to help you climb the mountain if you will just reach out to them and let them do that," Vice President of Academic Affairs Bettie Starr said.

LWC officials will help freshmen climb the metaphorical mountain through the Freshman Year Experience - four freshman advisers, 12 select faculty and 20 upperclassmen that will help freshmen have a successful first year at the college.

"We've been preparing for you for months. ... And now, after all of the preparation, finally we get to have the most fun of all - which is we get down to the business of teaching and learning," Starr said.

This story was posted on 2008-08-18 05:59:37