Lon Morris College Alpha Week Kicks Off New School Year

JACKSONVILLE, TX. – Lon Morris College Alpha Week kicks off this year on Sunday, August 21, 2011 when the new Bearcats move into the residence halls.

The freshmen and their parents will be welcomed by upper-class students, faculty, staff and volunteers from local churches including the First United Methodist Church and Central Baptist Church.

To achieve the goal of nurturing academic, social, and spiritual growth through an engaging liberal arts curriculum and vibrant campus life, LMC faculty and staff must start from the very beginning of a student’s college career.

Alpha Week at LMC is designed just to do that.

The Office of Student Activities will host a number of events to ease freshmen into many different aspects of life as a college student at Lon Morris College.  These events focus on familiarizing the new students with all the resources available while also introducing them to the new and old traditions LMC as to offer.

“By making a connection with the campus environment early through both social and academic events, students will rapidly connect with the campus and develop a sense of ownership which leads to stronger retention of students,” stated David Gehrels, LMC Coordinator of Student Activities.

Other events include LMC’s annual Convocation, which officially welcomes new and returning students, is scheduled to be held on Wednesday, August 23 at 7:00pm at the First United Methodist Church in Jacksonville.  The week will wrap up on Friday evening with an outdoor BBQ and street dance to celebrate the first Bearcat football game of the season.

“I can’t wait for the students to arrive.  We are so excited about the new year and I want to make sure the students are engaged so that I can help meet their needs,” Kendal Carnley, 2011-2012 LMC Student Body President.

According to Gehrels, “There are many opportunities to get involved on campus.  Alpha Week is just the beginning.  We hope that all students, new and returning, get or stay involved on campus and make their college experience here at LMC the best two years of their life.”