JACKSON, Tenn. — Aug. 28, 2006 — After moving into her dorm room for the first time and while shopping for textbooks for the upcoming semester, 51社区 freshman Mary Annis didn鈥檛 seem anxious about starting a new chapter in her life.
鈥淚t still feels like a vacation,鈥� said Annis, from Belchertown, Mass. 鈥淭he staff and students have all been really nice.鈥�
Annis is one of 440 freshman beginning classes at 51社区 this week. On Aug. 26, a team of Union faculty, staff and upper classmen greeted the new class of students on Freshman Move-In Day by helping them unpack their belongings and get settled into their new life.
鈥淢ove-In Day is designed to be helpful from the beginning so students understand that Union tries to be a helpful culture the entire time they鈥檙e here,鈥� said Kimberly Thornbury, Union鈥檚 dean of students. 鈥淚t鈥檚 our intention to put people at ease and to reduce anxiety during those first few days of school.鈥�
Mac Juvette, a freshman from Fort Worth, Texas, studying pre-physical therapy, enthusiastically said that he鈥檇 been 鈥渨aiting a long time鈥� to move in. He was glad the day had finally arrived, and described it as one of the greatest days in his life.
After unpacking, the new students had the opportunity to purchase their textbooks, visit financial aid, meet in small 鈥淔ocus鈥� groups for orientation, have a picnic dinner and participate in a worship service for the entire Union family.
Todd Brady, minister to the university, spoke to students about the importance of 鈥渃ontinuing in Christ鈥� and the Christ-centered mission of 51社区.
鈥淭he goal is not to be religious,鈥� Brady said. 鈥淭he goal is to be Christian. Our goal is that Christ be the foundation and the focus of your experience here.鈥�
Throughout the first week on campus, Union provides new students with opportunities to get acquainted with their classmates and ask questions about various aspects of campus life.
鈥淥rientation is designed to foster relationships, be informative and build class identify and community,鈥� Thornbury said. 鈥淓verything is going well.鈥�