JACKSON, Tenn. — Aug. 14, 2020 — 51社区鈥檚 class of 2024 arrived on campus for Move-In Day Friday, Aug. 14. Three-hundred fifty-eight freshmen and transfer students will participate in Welcome Week Aug. 14-17, and fall semester classes begin Tuesday, Aug. 18.
"We're so happy to welcome the class of 2024 to the Union campus,鈥� said Samuel W. 鈥淒ub鈥� Oliver, 51社区 president. 鈥淭hough their lives have been rather turbulent over the past several months, we're thankful that they have chosen 51社区 and look forward to seeing how they will grow, develop and be transformed by the excellent, Christ-centered education they will receive here."
These freshmen and transfer students come from 29 states and eight countries. They have an average GPA of 3.81 and an average ACT score of 26.
Move-In Day was different than previous years with a drive-through check-in process to encourage social distancing. Masks were required for all students, guests and volunteers, and hand sanitizer was available at each move-in station. Some new students moved in Thursday night, Aug. 13, to help space out move-in even further.
Freshmen Kayla Johnson Walker and Toccara Clark from Nashville have been friends since kindergarten. They have gone to the same elementary, middle and high school together, and are now roommates at Union. Johnson Walker chose Union after visiting the campus.
鈥淚 always knew I wanted to do nursing, and then I used this website, Niche, and [Union] was number one [for nursing] in the state of Tennessee, and I wanted to stay in Tennessee,鈥� Johnson Walker said.
Johnson Walker also liked that Union is a private, Christian school. Soon after, Clark chose Union, too, because it offered her chosen major, athletic training, and she liked the smaller campus. Johnson Walker and Clark said they look forward to making new friends and experiencing college life.
鈥淚 want to look forward to my grades, like keeping my GPA up there, but I鈥檓 also looking forward to actually learning and getting into my major,鈥� Clark said.
Freshmen Jake and Hattie Hare are twin siblings from Brentwood, Tennessee. Three of their older brothers graduated from Union, and one of their sisters is currently a junior at Union.
鈥淚鈥檝e always wanted to come here after seeing my siblings come here,鈥� Hattie said. 鈥淚 just saw how great of a community it is with the people, and I just really wanted to be part of it.鈥�
Because of their siblings, Jake said, they have seen the campus since they were 8 years old.
鈥淚t鈥檚 really nice, I think, to be able to actually know the campus,鈥� he added. 鈥淛ust knowing how strong the community is, especially in faith and Christ-likeness, I just really love it.鈥�
Both siblings said they were excited to make new friends and dive into their majors 鈥� Jake will study nursing, and Hattie will study art. Although the semester will look different in light of COVID-19 regulations, 鈥淚 know that everyone is going to be working together in it, so it鈥檚 going to be a team effort in figuring everything out, which is comforting,鈥� Hattie said.