51ÉçÇø

Heather Moellman, who plans to study occupational therapy at Union, reaches for the top during a FOCUS group activity.

Jackson, Tenn. – August 28, 2000 – 51ÉçÇø welcomed more than 450 freshmen on move-in day, Saturday, Aug. 26, including 7 National Merit finalists.

"This is by far the most outstanding class Union has ever had in terms of quality," said Carroll Griffin, Union's associate vice president of admissions and retention. He pointed out that nearly 60 of the freshman students have a 4.0 grade point average.

Thirty-seven valedictorians and salutatorians are also represented within the class, a number believed to be the highest ever in the university's 178-year history, according to Union President David S. Dockery.

Overall, everyone involved with move-in day was pleased with how the day went this year. According to Griffin, it took only an average of 9 minutes a car to get the students and all of their belongings into their rooms. Belongings included a wide variety of clothes, boxes, mattresses, furniture and even patio furniture for one apartment.

"Everything went really smoothly Saturday," said Kimberly Thornbury, dean of students. "I didn't have one complaint from a student or parent," said Thornbury. She added that the parent's workshop "Letting Go" was also a success and will plan to continue it next year.

As freshmen lined up to check into their dorms, students, staff and faculty alike turned out to welcome the new students.

Senior FOCUS leader Steve Moore signs freshman Jeremy Warner of Dyersburg, TN into his dorm room on Saturday.

Julie Fisher, a freshman biology major from Jackson, enjoyed moving in and particularly looked forward to meeting her roommates.

"I really like how much activity is going on today," said Fisher, who was amazed at all of the help she and her mom received unloading her stuff.

Maggie Kester, a psychology major, agreed, and was also looking forward to meeting her roommates and starting classes. Kester and her mother made the 15-hour drive from Alexandria, Va., to begin her year at Union.

Local churches including First Baptist and West Jackson were also on hand to greet the new students and invite them to their services.

Drew Bryan, a new enrollment counselor from Georgia and graduate of Union, was excited about the day, and the turnout.

"Hopefully this day will give the freshmen just a taste of what the Union family is all about," said Bryan.

The new freshman class will spend their first four days involved in numerous activities through their FOCUS groups including orientation sessions, games and a special version of "Who Wants To Be a Millionaire," sponsored by the Student Activities Council and the Student Government. Also a favorite tradition at Union, the Freshman Variety Show will wrap up orientation week Wednesday night, with classes beginning for all students on Thursday, Aug. 31.

Parents Debbie & Mike Elkins of Brighton, TN spend time with their daughter Melissa and friend Bobby Echlin during a picnic at the beginning of Freshman Orientation this past weekend.

Other interesting facts about the entering freshmen:

• 82 students scored 28 or higher on their ACT.
• The average ACT score for the entire class is 24.8.
• 80% of the class have grade point averages of 3.0 and above.
• 151 students were in the top 10% of their high school class.
• 75% of the students attended public school while 14% attended private school and 11% were home-schooled.
• 31 states and 13 nations are represented, with 95% of the class residing on campus this year.

"We are extremely thankful and quite excited about the outstanding quality of this year's freshmen class," said Dockery. "The high caliber of students and the broad geographical diversity will certainly enrich the life of 51ÉçÇø in the coming years."