JACKSON, Tenn. — Aug. 15, 2024 — Haiven Potts had been praying about her college destination ever since middle school. She had settled on a university in the Nashville, Tenn., area, but didn鈥檛 feel confident in that selection.
That鈥檚 when she attended the Youth Evangelism Conference held at 51社区 in the spring and met Robbie Graves, Union鈥檚 assistant vice president for undergraduate admissions.
鈥淚 had no clue who he was or anything like that, but he really redirected my eyes to the importance of a biblical education,鈥� Potts said.
That conversation set the wheels in motion for Potts, of Lawrenceburg, Tenn., to change her mind and decide to attend Union. She is one of 385 students who moved onto campus Aug. 15 during Union鈥檚 annual Move-In Day, a collaborative effort in which current students, professors and Residence Life staff assist new students in moving into their campus apartments.
Dan Griffin, Union鈥檚 vice president for enrollment management, said the incoming class has an average ACT score of 26 and strong demographic diversity. This year鈥檚 new student enrollment is about 10 percent higher than last year鈥檚 class.
鈥淲e are thankful for each and every student who has chosen 51社区 as their educational destination,鈥� Griffin said. 鈥淯nion is an institution where faith and knowledge unite, and we look forward to seeing how these students grow academically and in their relationship with Christ during their time here.鈥�
Jack Shackelford, a graduate of Bartlett High School in Bartlett, Tenn., knew about Union because his parents, Fred and Jennifer, are both Union graduates. A basketball player, Shackelford originally wasn鈥檛 planning to attend Union until he came for a visit.
鈥淲hen I came, I was blown away with the coaches and their care for the players,鈥� Shackelford said.
He was especially impressed with Union basketball coach David Niven and how much he valued relationships with his players. Shackelford plans to major in business and pursue seminary and ministry after college.
Haley Blevins, of Rosemark, Tenn., first learned about Union from Jennifer Graham, a 1996 Union graduate who serves as the director of curriculum and special projects at Tipton-Rosemark Academy in Millington, Tenn., where Blevins attended.
鈥淭he more she talked about it, the more I realized it had everything I wanted,鈥� Blevins said, referring to small class sizes, a Christ-centered approach and a strong nursing program.
Move-in Day kicks off Welcome Week 2024, a week intended to allow new students to connect with the incoming class and adjust to campus life. Classes for the fall semester begin Aug 20.
