JACKSON, Tenn. — Aug. 23, 2022 — Unlike most of his freshman classmates, Patrick Basie of Pine Mountain, Georgia, graduated from high school more than a year ago. After a gap year experience with Global U, he鈥檚 now ready to begin his freshman year at Union.
Basie said Union rose to the top of his wish list as he was considering different colleges.
鈥淚 believed that Union was truly, through and through, a Christ-centered school and a place that鈥檚 going to help me grow in my faith,鈥� Basie said. 鈥淭hey take that seriously. I think it鈥檚 got a good community feel.鈥�
Basie is one of 385 new students (freshmen and transfers) who moved onto campus Aug. 18. Hundreds of student, faculty and staff volunteers helped the new students unload and get settled into their campus apartments, kicking off Welcome Week 2022 and beginning their Union experience.
Willow Schwenke, of Harlan, Kentucky, was introduced to Union through a friend who is a current student.
鈥淚 also knew I wanted the Christian background and stability of the college as well, because you don鈥檛 get that a lot of places,鈥� she said.
A nursing major, Schwenke said she was attracted by Union鈥檚 core values (excellence-driven, Christ-centered, people-focused, future-directed) and the academic excellence, including the high pass rates for the nursing licensure NCLEX test.
鈥淚 know it鈥檚 one of the best schools in job stability afterwards,鈥� Schwenke said.
For Basie, Union鈥檚 recruitment process was a big factor in his choice. He said he received text messages from people in the admissions office telling him they had prayed for him by name that day. He was also attracted to the way Union integrates excellent academics with an unflinching Christian commitment.
This year鈥檚 freshman class enters Union just in time for the university鈥檚 bicentennial celebration. Founded in 1823, Union will observe its bicentennial during the entire 2022-2023 academic year.
Union will host a variety of activities for new students during Welcome Week 2022, including informational sessions, a local church fair and an ice cream social at Union President Samuel W. 鈥淒ub鈥� Oliver鈥檚 house. Fall semester classes will begin Aug. 23.