by Bryson Durst, Student Public Relations Writer
Cedarville welcomed approximately 1,100 new students to campus during Getting Started Weekend on August 13-15. Fall Bible Conference is slated for August 16-18.
Getting Started Weekend welcomes and acclimates new students to campus, said director of campus experience Brian Burns. After Getting Started, students are more comfortable navigating the campus and its resources, and parents have a greater sense of peace about this important transition in their children’s lives.
In many ways, Getting Started retained the feel of previous years. As new students and their families drive into campus, they were welcomed by students with pool noodles guiding them in. There were afternoon sessions for parents and incoming students as they prepared to adjust to college life.
At Jacket Fest on Friday night, new students played games, enjoyed ice cream, and gathered around Cedar Lake to discuss how they feel about starting college.
Saturday activities included a class picture and Jacket Jaunt, an event where the new students walk in a group to the Jeremiah Chapel while faculty, alumni, and parents cheer them on. New students spent Saturday night at a Getting Started program, where the university described what it expects from students, and the 1,000 Days Experience, where students enjoyed donuts and small-group conversation. Parents previewed the Bible minor, which is required for all Cedarville students.
Getting Started Weekend ended on Sunday with a morning chapel service for parents and students. After parents left, Cedarville held a worship night on Sunday for all new and returning students.
While Getting Started returned to normal in many ways, Burns said that the event has kept a few of last year’s COVID-inspired innovations. Volunteers checked in students by car, as organizers found that it was quicker and more efficient than requiring parents to park and go to the fieldhouse. Additionally, Burns said that organizers learned last year how to better manage traffic flows. Parents were able to tune into 99.5 FM to receive instructions while driving in.
Cedarville also continued using a notification system developed last year by a Cedarville graduate, sending texts to resident advisors (RAs), Sting Group leaders, and students when they check-in.
New this year, incoming students received a color-coded card during check-in. Volunteers wearing vests of the same color will guide students and parents to their dorms.
“We want students to not only just ask questions, but be able to find answers, because that’s part of growing,” Burns said.
Located in southwest Ohio, Cedarville University is an accredited, Christ-centered, Baptist institution with an enrollment of 4,550 undergraduate, graduate, and online students in more than 150 areas of study. Founded in 1887, Cedarville is one of the largest private universities in Ohio, recognized nationally for its authentic Christian community, rigorous academic programs, strong graduation and retention rates, accredited professional and health science offerings, and high student engagement ranking. For more information about the University, visit cedarville.edu.