RELEASED: June 9, 2005

DANVILLE, KY—It happens every year like clockwork. Centre College sends a crop of well-educated, ambitious, bright young graduates into the workforce or to top graduate schools; and welcomes in a new class of excited, fresh-faced scholars who are seeking new opportunities and a world-class education.

This summer incoming freshman class members have a chance to get their questions answered, take placement tests, sign up for classes and tour the campus before classes begin in September.

Summer orientation took place June 8-9 and will be held again June 17-18 for the rest of the class.

"The goal of orientation is to help ease the students transition from high school to college and help the students start to think about the personal, social and academic changes they're about to make," says Megan O'Brien, director of student activities and educational programming. "They also get a chance to ask last minute questions and meet faculty, staff and students."

During the orientation sessions, students meet with faculty, staff, advisors and peers who help them make decisions ensure a positive Centre experience.

Taylor Pilkington of Charlottesville, Va., says he enjoyed talking to current students and got a taste of what he has to look forward to later this year.

"I'm already talking like I go here and I'm just at orientation," he says.

When Lindsay Taylor of Nashville, Tenn., arrived late to new student orientation because of a mixup involving Central and Eastern time zones, she was surprised to find that Centre faculty, staff and students didn't get unnerved by her tardiness. Instead they quickly helped her get caught up with the rest of the students.

"The student volunteers are delightful," she says. "I've only been here an hour and I already have friends."

Other sessions deal with class scheduling, expectations and succeeding in college.

"I was really apprehensive about the placement tests but they were really short," says Ashley Harris from Louisville, Ky.

Other students enjoyed touring campus, visiting the classrooms and other buildings.

Cameron Henzman from Lexington, Ky., who plans to play football and baseball at Centre, says he enjoyed touring the new athletic/recreation facility, which opened this spring as part The College Centre, a $22-million expansion/renovation of the College's athletic and academic facilities.

Orientation also gave students a chance to meet other incoming freshmen, get acquainted and begin long-lasting college friendships.

"I come from a very small high school—Centre is twice the size—and I was nervous that I wouldn't find anyone like me, but everyone is so nice," says Carla Estridge from Lancaster, Ky. "I'm going to know people when I come in the fall and I won't be as nervous."

Joe Griggs of Bell Buckle, Tenn., says he also enjoyed meeting new people and "couldn't think of anything that would make [orientation] better."

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Founded in 1819, Centre College is ranked among the U.S. News top 50 national liberal arts colleges. Centre alumni, known for their nation-leading loyalty in annual financial support, include two U.S. vice presidents and two Supreme Court justices. For more, visit http://www.centre.edu/web/elevatorspeech/

For news archives go to http://www.centre.edu/web/news/newsarchive.html.

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