Union Welcomes One of the Largest Classes
in Recent History to Campus

New Union College freshmen could choose to participate in either a "build" or "grow" service project. The students in this picture participated in a "grow" project and worked to mulch and plant flowers and shrubbery around campus. The students are pictured beneath one of Union's famed Ginkgo trees.

We're back! Union College officially kicked-off the school year with a Welcome Weekend full of activities for one of the college's biggest incoming classes ever. Union's incoming freshman and returning students participated in four days of scheduled activities as a way to welcome students back to campus and back to the community.

"There's definitely excitement in the air at Union this fall. Our residence halls are bursting at the seams with students, and we've exceeded our expectations for enrollment," Dean of Enrollment Management Jerry Jackson said.

According to Steve Hoskins, budget director for the college, as of now Union has exceeded their enrollment goals for the fall undergraduate and graduate classes making this academic year one of the best in the college's recent history.

New students coming to Union's campus this fall were treated to four days of activities designed to acclimate them to college life. According to Debbie D'anna, Dean of Student Development, Welcome Weekend was a huge success with students participating in service projects, outdoor activities, and more under the guise of the popular television reality series "The Amazing Race."

Under the leadership of Tommy Ruth, coordinator of student life, incoming freshmen participated in one of two service projects, made team flags, participated in physical challenges, participated in a challenge course, participated in the relay course at the National Guard Center where they all had the opportunity to rappel and much more.

One of the best activities freshmen participated in, according to Taryn Jacobus, graduate assistant for student life, was a new college tradition called. C.I.R.C.L.E.S. (Celebrate, Integrity, Responsibility, Character, Learning, Engagement). On Monday evening, freshman attended a formal dinner then participated in a ceremony held at Conway Boatman Chapel. Students, administration, faculty and staff, and members of the community participated in responsive readings that introduced freshman to the college's core values: Union College challenges the mind, heart, and spirit by promoting the love of learning, integrity of character, the spiritual quest, the need for civility in all transactions, and the importance of civic responsibility.

The rest of the returning students participated in activities as well. Students had a picnic in the Park at the Barbourville Water Park, attended a movie at Corbin's Tri-County Cineplex, and participated in several other coordinated activities designed to welcome them back to campus and back to the community.

August 31, 2005

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