Anderson University welcomed more than 900 new Trojans to campus, kicking off the new academic year in fun and meaningful ways. Anderson Mayor Terence Roberts, along with City Manager David McCuen and Assistant City Manager Andrew Strickland, joined students, student-athletes, faculty and staff helping move students into residence halls and apartments as they arrived.
During that first day, new students joined family members for an unforgettable time of worship and the Archway Walk, a tradition of marking new beginnings as new students cross under the Anderson University Archway onto the historic Alumni Lawn. Another Trojan tradition was a candle-lighting ceremony that week on the historic Alumni Lawn.
Further demonstrating Anderson University’s pillar of Great Hospitality was a full week of festivities capped off by the Big Welcome Event this past Saturday at the Athletic Campus. Welcome Week was also a time for incoming students to get to know their Alpha leaders and upperclassmen as they entered campus over that first weekend.
Alpha Groups, an important part of new students’ first-year experience, help new students transition into life at Anderson, helping them check off needed items such as iPads and textbooks. The AU Center for Global Engagement welcomed international students with sessions to help smooth their transition to campus and a new culture.
The week was also one of getting to know the day-to-day of college while enjoying more fun activities that included Grocery Bingo, a Block Party with live music; West Fest, some “countrified” fun, complete with line dancing, farm animals and mechanical bull riding; and Beach Bash at the Student Center Front Plaza.
The Big Welcome Event was a day packed with fun, including yard games, live music, a coffee and shaved ice truck and multiple snacking options—capped by a huge fireworks display lighting up the sky over Spero Financial Field and the Melvin and Dollie Younts Stadium.
