The largest freshman class in Anderson University history began its college experience with a rousing worship service and a march through the storied arch of the University per Anderson tradition as the new school year officially began on Sunday.
Anderson students march through the arch twice in their college careers – once as freshman on the Sunday before the beginning of classes with parents lining the sidewalks to cheer them on, and again at graduation where faculty offer a gauntlet of support as they conclude their college careers. This year there are 700 new freshmen and 120 transfer students, composing the largest class of incoming students in University history.
Evangelist Clayton King challenged the students to make the most of these pivotal college years in a family worship service, which featured rousing music by Anderson’s music group, Authenticity.
The new class at AU is also one of the most academically qualified in school history. Anderson now leads private universities in South Carolina in the number of enrolled students who received merit based state scholarships (Palmetto Fellows and Life scholarships).
Move-In weekend at Anderson University is one of the most unique experiences among colleges in South Carolina as scores of volunteers, from current students’ parents, to faculty and staff, cheerfully descend on each new car as it arrives and quickly move the contents to the respective room of the new student. Sunday, faculty and staff eat and worship with the new families before the moms and dads head back to their respective homes and the students begin life at AU.