Union College News

Dancing in the Streets: Union’s Summer Orientation
Goes Beyond Nuts & Bolts

Kellie Parker, center, smiles while waiting her turn during an “icebreaker” exercise.

If they expect dull lectures on financial aid and scheduling classes, students attending summer orientation at Union College in Barbourville are bound to be disappointed.

Instead, participants find themselves dancing in the streets, enjoying an original movie created entirely by Union students and staff, and playing a grown-up version of the Game of Life.

Attending summer orientation has become another requisite step in the process of going off to college. Sessions can be crammed with the sort of nuts and bolts information that, while necessary, sacrifices the big picture.

According to Jerry Jackson, Union College’s Dean of Enrollment Management, orientation is a time to “set the tone” for the college experience. “It’s easy to fall into the trap of overwhelming them with details,” he says. “Our goal is to remember that going off to college is exciting. It’s a pivotal point in their lives. It’s about adventure, discovery, and the excitement of knowing their lives will be changed by the experience.”

Union’s goal is to help students connect with the college and each other. Student Ambassadors, an enthusiastic group of current students, lead sessions, interact with participants, and are familiar faces when new students return to campus in the fall. Several members of Union’s faculty volunteer to help students register for classes and advise them on choices. Staff members are on-hand to answer questions, help with financial issues, and introduce students to services at the college.

In the meantime, parents are treated to a community tour, a reception at the President’s home, and various sessions designed to acquaint them with all the college has to offer.

Yes, there are a few nuts and bolts. But the overall atmosphere is one of enthusiasm and excitement.

Kellie Parker, a new student from Corbin, attended a recent orientation and was impressed with the fun, creative approach. “It was pretty interesting. The movie and skit were unique. I don’t think another school would do that. It was kind of like a Saturday Night Live thing.”

Student Ambassadors warm-up the crowd with line dances.

Kellie’s referring to the last item on the agenda, the viewing of Union is the Future. The original movie was created by Union students in the spring, when they worked fourteen hour days directing, filming, and editing. The title is also the theme of summer orientation. Chosen by Student Ambassadors, the theme and movie are based on the 1985 blockbuster Back to the Future. Their tagline harkens back to one of the movie’s more memorable quotes: “Where we’re going, we don’t need roads.”

The film features Marcus, a Student Ambassador, who portrays a student trying to get to Union’s summer orientation on time. A lime green dune buggy he borrows to drive to orientation turns out to be a time machine, and he finds himself catapulted back to earlier points in the college’s history. On his journey he meets three notable alumni, including Dr. Phillip Sharp, a graduate who won a Nobel Prize in 1993. All three alumni have experienced professional success and have left a legacy at the college.

When Marcus finally arrives at orientation, the screen goes black and Marcus and his fellow actors storm the stage for a live, interactive segment. By the end of the film, the clear message is that students should begin thinking about what their legacy might be.

Then they watch the outtakes and bloopers special feature.

“We strive for a balance,” says Tommy Ruth, Union’s Director of Student Life. “Thinking about where your college education will take you is serious stuff and it’s a big part of what being a student is about. But it’s also about having a great time in the process.”

Union will strike the balance once more this summer. The last orientation is scheduled for July 21. It isn’t too late to apply and register for the session. Those interested can apply online at www.unionky.edu, or call the office of admissions at 1-800-489-8646.

July 10, 2007

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