2008 Woodie Awards
Great Beginnings introduces, prepares freshmen
Hailey Kercheval
Issue date: 8/22/08 Section: News
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Staff writer
Welcome to college.
For many first-year Murray State students, the first week of college is a daunting experience, but University officials planned the Great Beginnings program to help.
"The primary goal of Great Beginnings is to get new students acquainted with Murray State University and the community," Re'Nita Avery-Meriwether, student organizations director, said. "It is to let the new students know that we are here for them, and that we are really a big family to help them whenever they need."
Great Beginnings began in the 1990s and has since evolved into a larger, more varied program including lecturers, downtown tours, grills, welcome tents, posters sales and a hypnotist.
Avery-Meriwether said the most popular event of Great Beginnings is Taste of Murray.
"We have over 90 vendors involved in Taste of Murray," she said. "Local businesses, churches and civic groups all participate to show new students what the community has to offer and where they can go for specific services."
Each event in Great Beginnings is useful in its own way, Avery-Meriwether said.
"For example, at the New Student Convocation, students have the opportunity to meet the author of the Freshmen Reading Experience book, and Realities on Campus addresses situations they may face in college," she said.
Freshman Cara Lyons, from Shelbyville, Ky., said she enjoyed Realities on Campus most out of the Great Beginnings events.
"It covers a broad spectrum of situations in an interesting, engaging way," Lyons said.
Michelle Ford, freshman from Carterville, Ill., also thought Realities on Campus was the most beneficial part of Great Beginnings.
"It was really fun to watch, not like sitting down for a boring lecture," Ford said.
Both Lyons and Ford agreed Great Beginnings is a positive and beneficial starting point for incoming students at Murray State like themselves.
"It's a good program, and I like how it introduces us to adulthood," Lyons said. "It's not a mandatory thing, but it is up to [oneself] to be involved and make the effort to get involved."
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