SENIOR COURTNI LOMBARDO TALKS with hersuitemate, junior Arlene Zuniga, in January. Lombardo, who transferred to Harding from St. louis Community College in spring 2004, said being aStudent Impact energy group leader helped her make more friends this fal l. 'M. MICHAELSON SCHOOL CHANGE PEOPLE -72 TRANSFERS ADJUST TO NEW LIFE, SURROUNDINGS Although she had just transferred to Harding University in the spring of 2004, senior Courtni Lombardo said she wanted to work with transfer students as an energy group leader during the following fall at Student Impact "It was kind of ironic," Lombardo said. "I felt] was familiar enough with Harding, but at the same time, ] felt like it would have been a way for me as a student to get know the school. It was also a great way to motivate other transfer students. I knew the emotions they were feeling at that point, so I think it was good for me to be there for them." Lombardo said transferring to Harding from St. Louis Community College was difficult at first because some of her credits did not transfer. "] basically had to take all the classes I took in the semester before I transferred all over again," Lombardo said. Although the only student Lombardo said she knew well was her stepbrother, sophomore Matt Kiefer, she said she did not have trouble forming relationships. "The first two weeks I was sick, and ] didn't want to cough on people, so I stayed inside," Lombardo said. "But I got better, and I am a very outgoing person, so I made friends quickly." Lombardo said Kiefer introduced her to many people and was also the one who encouraged her to participate in Student Impact. "To be honest, my brother told me about it, and then signed me up behind my back," she said. One of the transfer students Lombardo met during Student Impact was senior lames Holston, who transferred from Niagara County Community College in 2003. Holston said the most difficult part about transferring from his community college was adjusting to the university' 5 different atmosphere. "It was hard getting used to things like curfew, because I was used to coming and going as I pleased," Holston said. In spite of the adjustment, Holston said it was worth transferrin~. " I don't regret anything," he said. "I feel like there are a couple of things 1came for, and I'm walking away with so much more than 1 dreamed." Because he understood the transfer experince, Holston said he hung out with Lombardo's energy group so he could meet new students. "] remembered what my feelings as a transfer student were for the people who were my energy group leaders," Holston said. "There is a connection in that we are not original Harding students - the bond is that we all came from somewhere else." - MEGHAN MICHAELSON
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