Lipscomb University swings back into action for the 2015-16 school year with move-in day
Lacey Klotz |
Lipscomb University officially kicked off the 2015-16 school year with move-in day this past Sunday, Aug. 16.
Nearly 600 freshman/transfers arrived to Lipscomb’s campus with packed cars, big smiles, nervous stomachs and teary-eyed parents, ready to move and settle into their new homes at Lipscomb.
Hillsboro Church of Christ’s 4:12 Ministry kicked off the morning by offering communion and a devotional to new students and their families in the student center before the dorms opened for move-in day activities.
Lipscomb’s student life team, including Sam Smith, the dean of student life, six resident hall directors and 42 RAs, welcomed new students and their families in the main lobbys of Elam, High Rise and Fanning residence halls and helped guide them through the registration process before giving students their very own key.
More than 100 volunteers from local churches, campus social clubs, athletics and upper classman helped families to carry in car-load after car-load to their rooms, while they reminisced with new students of their first experience moving into a college dorm.
Granny White Church of Christ also joined in the move-in day festivities by graciously hosting a BBQ lunch for all new students and their families just outside Bison Square.
Stationed in Bison Square, however, was Regions Bank offering help to students who wanted to set up their own bank accounts, as well as Kona Ice who’s colorful truck was ready to give away free shaved ice.
Lipscomb’s Student Activities Board was a big part of coordinating the move in day festivities and exists on campus to help provide extra curricular activities to students. Members of Lipscomb’s SAB helped students move in, offered free snacks and beverages and encouraged new students to attend the Lipscomb women’s soccer game against Belmont where they were hosting a cookout, sponsored by Lipscomb Athletics.
Another unique element to this year’s move-in day was the 92-day extreme dorm makeover that High Rise residence hall underwent this past summer.
Opening just one day before Lipscomb’s annual move-in day, the eight-story, 80,000-square-foot men’s residence hall was completely gutted and remodeled in this intensive, around-the-clock renovation that began as soon as the May 2015 graduation concluded.
“Whether it’s furniture, textures, paints, doors, elevators, bathrooms, showers, dorm room furniture, HVAC system – everything has been touched in this building,” said Sam Smith, dean of student life. “We dumped about $8 million into this project, so we were taking a very serious step forward saying we want to provide an excellent experience for students who live here.”
Although High Rise has seen an amazing transformation, the renovation is not over yet. Lipscomb also plans to add a kitchen and an outdoor patio area behind the men’s residence hall and construction for that will begin shortly.
This week, the freshman and transfer students are participating in Quest Week from Aug. 18-23.
Quest Week is Lipscomb’s annual orientation program that offers an entire week of academic, logistical and fun activities. Students will be educated on the campus and college life from university staff and through the annual resource fair.
The new freshman/transfer students will also be introduced to academic expectations through the first class meetings of the freshman seminar course, and will learn a great deal about the city of Nashville through a community service day and field trips to the city’s entertainment venues and attractions.
The rest of campus will move in this weekend and classes will officially begin on Monday, Aug. 24.