Columbia’s population will increase by almost 25% this weekend as more than 1,100 students are expected to move into the Lindsey Wilson College residence halls for the 2016-17 school year.
LWC’s opening weekend is Aug. 13-14, and fall classes will begin the week of Aug. 17 on the A.P. White Campus.
From the moment students move-in, they can expect to be met with not just helpful, friendly faces, but a myriad of activities to help welcome them to campus.
“The first few days on campus can be the scariest for incoming students,” said LWC Director of Student Activities Lafawn Nettles, the organizer of opening week activities and events. “Whether it be through carnival games or free pizza, our goal is to make sure that the transition is as fun and seamless as possible.”
“Seeing students come together and forge great friendships is my favorite part of opening week. It’s so important that students get out of their rooms and take this opportunity to immerse themselves in college life and make new friends.”
Opening week activities also help freshmen from coming down with an acute case of homesickness, said LWC Assistant Dean of Students Andy McAllister.
“If we didn’t offer students a lot of programming, many of them would get homesick because so many of our freshmen are first-generation college students, and many of them will be away from home for an extended period for the first time,” McAllister said. “Opening week events do a great job introducing students, especially the freshmen, to college life.”
Last year, 2,660 students — including 1,100 residential students — attended LWC. Enrollment this year is expected to be comparable. Student body president, Hannah McCandless, says she’s been impressed with how active this incoming class seems to be.
“I’ve already had a total of eight people ask me from the class of 2020 ask me about running for freshman class president, and it’s not even opening week yet. To me, that says a lot,” said McCandless, “Everyone I’ve talked to, from regular students to athletes, seems to have a lot of excitement and they seem eager to be a part of campus life.”
For a complete list of all Opening Week events, please visit http://www.lindsey.edu/media/727462/ow_2016_%20newres.pdf or contact Lafawn Nettles at [email protected] or (270) 384-8033.
