NEWBERRY — Newberry College will welcome more than 1,000 students to campus for the start of fall semester as the first day of classes on Aug. 25 draws near.
An estimated 345 freshman and transfers will get their first taste of Newberry College life during Howl Effect 2015 — the College’s orientation weekend on Aug. 21-23.
All students will begin moving into their residence halls on Aug. 21, from 1-5 p.m.
As students get settled into their new home away from home throughout the week, they’ll participate in a variety of Welcome Week events to help them make friends, get to know the campus and learn about College policies. Welcome Week activities kick off on Aug. 24, with the Welcome Back Wolf Bash and conclude on Aug. 29, with the Scarlet Splash Pool Party.
“August is always an exciting month here at Newberry College as we welcome our students to campus in the fall,” said Jane Willis, Dean of Student Affairs. “It is especially exciting to see new students, both freshmen and transfer students, move in and become part of the Newberry College family. They are the reason we do what we do.”
Along with strong enrollment for the year ahead, Newberry College recently celebrated its second consecutive year of record-breaking fundraising, bringing in $4,223,237 in gifts and pledges for fiscal year 2015, which ended June 30, 2015. The total surpassed the previous fundraising high water mark of $4,058,000 achieved last year.
“Our continued fundraising success underscores that our alumni and friends see exciting things happening here and want to be a part of shaping our future,” said Newberry College president Dr. Maurice W. Scherrens.
The Department of Teacher Education recently concluded a national search for a new department head. Dr. Melissa Awenowicz joined the faculty on July 15, coming to Newberry College from the Department of Education at Ohio Wesleyan University.
“Dr. Awenowicz’s leadership will be invaluable to ensuring the Teacher Education department continues to innovate,” said Dale Brown, Associate Dean of the College. “Her public school experience and training in national education program review (CAEP) will greatly benefit our students and our Teacher Education program.”
One of Awenowicz’s first responsibilities will be to prepare the department for occupying its new home in the former Speers Street School. The Speers Street Revitalization Project is expected to be completed in time for classes in fall semester 2016.
The renovated Speers Street Complex will house all undergraduate Teacher Education programs and education-related master’s degrees that will be developed over the next several years.
The Speers Street Revitalization project is the first of three projects in phase one of the college’s comprehensive capital campaign. Additional phase one projects include expansion and modernization of the Science, Nursing, Art and Math building and construction of the Center for Athletic and Academic Achievement, which includes a stadium, press box, field house with classrooms and updated training facilities.
In keeping with its Lutheran liberal arts tradition, the Muller Center at Newberry College recently was launched to provide students, faculty and staff with opportunities to use their skills, knowledge and interests in service to the common good through volunteerism, community-based learning, leadership development and vocational reflection.
The Muller Center Director, Krista Hughes, has many activities and events planned for the semester, including a ribbon cutting and reception on Sept. 17 at the Muller Center in Keller Hall.
Throughout the year, the Muller Center will host campus and community conversations about the urgent moral dilemmas facing 21st century society.