Missouri Baptist University Ushers In New Crop Of Students.

A look back at IGNITE: Welcome Weekend 2012

By Adam Presswood

It’s the beginning of another new school year, and once again MBU hit the ground running with IGNITE: Welcome Weekend 2012.

The busy four-day weekend kicked off on Thursday, Aug. 16, with International Student Orientation, followed by New Dorm Student Move-In and Check-In, where new students were able to meet their RAs, receive room keys and pick up Welcome Weekend packets.

“I thought the dorm check-in went very smoothly,” said Brandon Van Marel, residential director for Pillsbury-Huff Hall. “Students were engaged with each other. They were connected.”

Parents and students enjoyed dinner in the Quad on Thursday evening, followed by karaoke in the Perk, where all drinks were a dollar off. Students and parents awoke to the AMP Pancake Breakfast on Friday, Aug. 17, which was served in the MBU Dining Hall from 9:30-10:30 a.m. Concurrently, new commuter students checked in at Bywaters Lounge from 9:30-11 a.m. to pick up career services packets, acquire student handbooks and receive student tours.

Other events on Friday’s agenda included a meeting with faculty and staff in the Perk, lunch with faculty and staff in the Sports and Recreation Complex, the President's Ice Cream & Cobbler Social in the Mabee Great Hall, New Student Welcome in Pillsbury Chapel, parent goodbyes, a parent session in Pillsbury Chapel, group cheers in the SRC, group competitions in the park, bowling at Brunswick Zone XL, and “Death By Chocolate” in the Mabee Great Hall.

“The students seemed to have a lot of fun,” said Van Marel. “The events were structured in a way that created opportunities for the freshmen to get to know their fellow classmates.”

Students enjoyed lunch in the MBU Dining Hall on Saturday, Aug. 18, followed by a trip to the St. Louis Zoo, a Cardinals baseball game, dinner under the St. Louis Arch, and a visit to the City Museum.

“Saturday was a really good day because we got to meet a lot of people and we got to explore St. Louis,” said Dorionte Crawford, freshman mathematics major.

“I really enjoyed the City Museum,” added Matt Behr, freshman elementary education and biblical studies major. “I felt like a kid again.”

Chapel was first on the agenda on Sunday, Aug. 19, followed by brunch in the MBU Dining Hall, Returning Student Move-In, shopping in Chesterfield Valley, pizza in the MBU Dining Hall, and Resident Life meetings.

“Welcome Weekend was a good way to get to know everybody,” said Titus Swope, freshman broadcast media major. “I thought it was interesting as a St. Louis native to watch how excited the international and out-of-state students were to see St. Louis attractions.”

“Welcome Weekend was an overall success,” added Amanda Ely, president of student activities. “With a younger core team in leadership it was a growing year, and it turned out to be a complete success. We had an excellent turn-out in terms of students and volunteers and everything went smoothly. Overall we felt that it was a productive weekend.”