SHERMAN, TEXAS—Austin College faculty, staff, and student leaders are prepared for the arrival Thursday of 318 freshmen students who will move into residence halls and begin their transition to the new academic year as college students. By the weekend’s end, approximately 30 transfer students and 1,000 returning and students will join them as the College begins its 164th academic year.
“No matter how many times I experience it, there is always something very exciting about the beginning of a new academic year,” said Austin College President Marjorie Hass. “Our students’ return brings new energy to campus. I look forward to welcoming new and familiar faces this weekend.”
Freshmen will move into residence halls Thursday, assisted by the Student Development Board and other student leaders. The new students also will complete check-in processes with various campus offices. Orientation activities get underway Friday morning, beginning with the official welcome from President Hass and other college administrators at 10 a.m. in Hughey Gym of the Mason Athletic Complex. Students and parents will spend the day in a variety of activities that provide additional information for the adjustment to the new year.
Transfer students participate in orientation sessions Saturday and residence halls open for returning students Sunday, September 2. By Monday afternoon, September 3, all Austin College students should have moved into campus housing, completed check-in procedures, and registered for fall classes.
The traditional Opening of School Convocation in Wynne Chapel Monday at 7 p.m. will officially begin the 164th academic year of the College. The opening address, “The Other Side of the Mountain,” will be presented by Michael Imhoff, vice president for Academic Affairs and dean of the faculty. Imhoff has been a member of the Austin College community since 1970 when he joined the chemistry faculty. He became vice president for Academic Affairs in 2000 and has announced he will retire at the end of this academic year.
The freshman class will lead the procession into the chapel, followed by the senior class, in cap and gown, marking the opening of the students’ final academic year and the countdown toward commencement in May. The academic procession ends with faculty and administrators in full academic regalia. The college marshal is Hunt Tooley, professor of history. Dr. Lisa Thomas is the organist.
Student body president Mark Hagge, a senior from Round Rock, Texas, will ring the Sam Houston Bell to begin the program. Robert Johnson, chair of the Board of Trustees at the College and a 1953 alumnus of the College, will welcome students. In addition to President Hass and Dr. Imhoff, administrators taking part in the event will include John Williams, chaplain, and Texas Reugg, registrar. Senior Olivia Lewis of Dallas, Texas, will present the invocation.
A key element of the event is the official presentation and investiture of the Class of 2016, certifying the freshmen as members of the College community. The freshmen’s signed Academic Integrity pledges will be presented to administrators; Sarah Gunderson, a 1981 graduate and president of the Alumni Association Board, will present the Class of 2016 banner to class representatives; and the new students officially will be matriculated and ready to begin classes.
During the event, the Austin College A Cappella Choir, directed by Wayne Crannell, will perform two choral anthems, as well as the Austin College Alma Mater and the choir’s traditional closing, Lutkin’s “The Lord Bless You and Keep You.” One of the choral anthems, “To My Kingdom,” was arranged by Erin Slade Krummenacher, Class of 2012.
Following the event, members of the Class of 2013 will gather in Wright Campus Center, Mabee Hall, for a “Senior Salute” with President Hass offering a celebratory toast to their final year of learning at Austin College.
Austin College is a leading national independent liberal arts college located north of Dallas in Sherman, Texas. Founded in 1849, making it the oldest institution of higher education in Texas operating under original charter and name, the college is related by covenant to the Presbyterian Church (USA). Recognized nationally for academic excellence in the areas of international education, pre-professional training, and leadership studies, Austin College is one of 40 schools profiled in Loren Pope’s influential book Colleges that Change Lives.