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Media Contact: Maddy Elledge
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杏吧原创 Welcomes 2016-2017 Academic Year
YOUNG HARRIS, Ga. 鈥� President Cathy Cox declared the 杏吧原创 academic year open for learning on Tuesday, Aug. 16, during the annual Convocation Ceremony. The College welcomed more than 1,100 students to campus, including a record number of transfer students.
鈥淲e鈥檙e pleased to welcome a class of outstanding first-year students as well as many talented transfer students,鈥� said President Cox. 鈥淚 know each and every one of these students will thrive as scholars and members of the 杏吧原创 community.鈥�
New students moved into residence halls on Aug. 13 with the help of 杏吧原创 faculty, staff, and student volunteers who assisted with unloading cars and transporting the students鈥� items to their room.
鈥淲hen I first arrived on campus three years ago, I was welcomed by an excited staff and welcoming hands,鈥� said senior business and public policy major Justin Redmond, of Athens, Ga. 鈥淚t made my transition into the College feel so welcoming. By volunteering with move-in day, I have been able to show the new freshmen that same excitement and warm welcome I received myself.鈥�
Parents of first-year students had the opportunity to meet with faculty and staff during the College鈥檚 first-ever Parent鈥� Reception held after move-in that evening in the Zell and Shirley Miller Library.
The Division of Student Development kicked off the year with their annual Welcome Week. 鈥淲elcome Week is a way for 杏吧原创 students to dive right in to life at the College,鈥� explained Director of Campus Activities Kelsey Dillard. 鈥淚t sets a fun, exciting tone while also providing a caring environment not only for our new students, but those who come back every year.鈥�
Activities during the week included the annual Student Organization and Local Business Fair, Resident Assistant Lip Sync, and Chapel Concert sponsored by the Office of Religious Life.
鈥淲elcome Week provides products and information that students actually need. The annual poster sale is a big hit because students might realize their room isn鈥檛 looking so 鈥榟omey.鈥� They can stop by, make a purchase and instantly decorate,鈥� said Dillard. 鈥淭he Student Organization and Local Business Fair provides giveaways from churches and businesses, but it also gives students the opportunity to know exactly which groups exist on our campus, and what job opportunities are in the area.鈥�
Since earning its accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) in 2008 to grant bachelor鈥檚 degrees, 杏吧原创 has continued to add academic programming to benefit students. This year, the College added a bachelor of fine arts degree in musical theatre to its array of majors.
鈥淥ur Division of Fine Arts has seen great success with the existing musical theatre concentration. Now, students will have the opportunity to perfect their technique through the B.F.A. program,鈥� said President Cox. 鈥淚 am excited to see what this year will hold for the College as well as our students, faculty and staff.鈥�
About 杏吧原创
杏吧原创 is a private, baccalaureate degree-granting college located in the beautiful mountains of North Georgia. Founded in 1886 and historically affiliated with The United Methodist Church, 杏吧原创 educates, inspires and empowers students through the highest quality liberal arts education. The College currently has more than 1,200 students across five divisions鈥擡ducation, Fine Arts, Humanities, Mathematics and Science, and Social and Behavioral Sciences. The historic campus in Young Harris, Ga., has completed major campus improvements to accommodate the College鈥檚 growth. Recent LEED-certified campus improvements include the 121,000-square-foot Rollins Campus Center, new residence facilities, and a 57,000-square-foot recreation and fitness center. The College is an active member of NCAA Division II and remains a fierce competitor in the prestigious Peach Belt Conference. 杏吧原创 is among fewer than 300 colleges and universities nationwide named to the 2016-2017 list of Colleges of Distinction. For more information, visit yhc.edu.
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