"bJefcome to the Next level" Aweekend of action introduced a special group of freshmen and transfers to college life at Harding this year. As usual, almost 190 upperclassmen and most of the staff and faculty returned to school early to help coordinators Cara Wilson and Kyle Brice with Student Impact, a program designed to help new students establish themselves before being overwhelmed by crowds and classes. "With 835 new faces on campus, our main focus was to help them to bond and to make sure they felt like a part ofthe group," Brice said. Using the theme, "Welcome to the Next Level," the freshmen and transfers were challenged to make their years at Harding a time of emotional and spiritual growth. And the students responded well to the challenge. Karl Kukta, a freshman from San Diego, thought that "if anything came across strongly from the Impact leaders, it was that Harding is a place to make friends and to grow spiritually; it's for us to find out how these two fit together." "The workers' encouragement made me want to work even harder and take advantage of all Harding has to offer that my junior college didn't," said Renee Vann, a transfer from Grapevine, Texas. What was the most enjoyable part of Impact? Opinions varied. For Jenny Shepard from Anchorage, Alaska, the devotionals were the most important aspect. "It was good to know that many of us at least shared our faith in God, if nothing else. That really makes a difference," she said. Others benefitted most of all from the energy groups. "You had a chance to talk to upperclassmen about problems you might run into and to get their 'insider tips' about dating, dress codes and dorm life," Kukta said. But the group games and activities in the Benson may have been the biggest factor in creating the relaxed atmosphere that made the difference in the freshman class this year. "I felt like I could just be myselfwithout constantly trying to act cool. We could spew chubby bunny marshmallows all over the stage of the Benson, and it was OK!" Vann said. Brice, who has seen five freshman classes go through Student Impact, also noticed that "this group was especially fun-loving and enthusiastic. They didn't try to prove anything like so many freshmen seem to do. I've enjoyed seeing how well they made the transition." This year's new students accepted the challenges that came with life at Harding and tackled orientation eagerly. - Karin Springer Deans James Anderson and Butch Gardner and Dr. David Burks perform the "chickey-chickey." Student Impact provided a lot ofentertainment, even by administrators. Photo byAaron Gillihan. Student Impact 17
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