Welcome Party: New students arrive on campus to begin their journeys as Champions for Christ

On Wednesday, large groups of student leaders gathered and cheered in front of residence halls around campus to welcome Liberty University’s new students on the first day of move-in.

“Move-in day is the second most exciting day on campus (next to Commencement),” said President Dondi E. Costin, “We’ve been looking forward to this all summer long.”

Costin and his wife, Vickey, along with Chancellor Jonathan Falwell and his wife, Shari, met the students in front of their halls, greeting their families and helping them move into their new homes away from home.

Liberty University estimates its residential enrollment to hit a record with nearly 16,500 students this fall as it welcomes 4,700 new residential undergraduate students to campus, the second-largest incoming class in school history. Liberty also expects to welcome its largest residential graduate class, with nearly 540 graduate students. Over 9,000 students are living in campus housing.

New students move in on Wednesday and Thursday, and returning students begin moving into residence halls on Friday. Classes start on Monday.

Costin said if there was one word that could define this new academic year, it would be “faithfulness.”

“We want to have every young man and woman who shows up here understand that they are made in God’s image, that He has made them for a mission, and our professors, our staff, everyone’s job is to help them discover who they are, develop that passion that God has put into them, and then we get to deploy them to the next phase in their lives as Champions for Christ.”

Deresse Barnes, who arrived on Wednesday morning from HOME STATE as a freshman planning to major in worship studies, moved into Commons I. Among the excited cheers and busy student leaders, he said he loved how welcoming and hands-on the Liberty community was during move-in. He said his sister attended Liberty before him, and she spoke so highly of the school that he knew it was the right choice for him, too.

“(I’m excited) for music, Convocation, and getting to know people. The community is really great. I just love all of this,” he said, gesturing to the crowds of student leaders who were holding signs and posters and helping to unload cars.

His mother, Annie, said she was excited to be dropping off another one of her children on campus. She said Liberty has been very supportive in preparing Deresse for college, always keeping them up to date with phone calls, emails, and helping them every step of the way to ensure a smooth college transition.

“He did quite a few college tours, and this was what fit perfectly,” she said. “He loves music and is so excited about it, and we’re excited for him.”

Lydia Smith, a sophomore studying exercise science, was on hand to help students move in. Smith is a community group leader, a role that involves leading groups after each Wednesday night Campus Community, which is an important part of the spiritual development programs to support students in their residence halls. Smith was helping students move into Commons I, and by late Wednesday morning, she had already met some of the girls she will be leading in Christian community this year.

“I love (move-in day),” she said. “I love getting to see all the new faces. It reminds me of when I was moving in, and I want to try to be that person that I would’ve needed last year. It’s been super exciting and fun.”

Kacee Cromer, from Winston-Salem, N.C., arrived with her daughter Klaire, her second daughter to attend Liberty. Her oldest daughter, Emma, is on campus studying sport management.

“At the drop-off you feel such a warm welcome and support,” she said. “The communication (from Liberty) is great; we feel like she is safe here, and we don’t ever have to worry about that. (The student leaders) are so kind and personable — nothing but great things to say about them.”

After moving in, students are immersed in several activities as part of Liberty’s Welcome Week, including opportunities to learn about school resources, activities that focus on community building, and chances to explore campus amenities.  Students can attend events like Doughnuts with the Deans, a chance to interact and connect with their school’s dean; Academic Welcome Sessions across various schools to meet department faculty and staff and other students in their major; Prayer on the Lawn on Wednesday and Thursday with Office of Spiritual Development; a meet and greet with the horses at the Equestrian Center; and many other fun activities to help integrate students into Liberty campus life and start fostering community (view the full Welcome Week schedule).

The First-Year Hub event is available each day on the Montview Student Union steps for students to ask any questions and receive a free T-shirt. With Parent & Family Sessions on both Wednesday and Thursday, families can hear from leaders across campus on how Liberty strives to maintain a safe and supportive environment, meaning families can say goodbye to their children in confidence.

On Thursday evening, the Office of Student Life will host all new students at the New Student Launch in the Vines Center. This first impression “Welcome to the Mountain” event will introduce students to the Liberty culture, educating, equipping, and helping students transition from high school to college while showing the support they will receive from Student Affairs staff. Afterward, students can fellowship with one another during a time of food, games, and music in the Commons courtyard.

Later that night, Student Activities will host Big Band Night, a night of jazz and R&B music featuring TJ Lawson. On Friday, students will attend their first Convocation where they will hear from Office of Spiritual Development staff and university administration on how they will be trained to be Champions for Christ over the coming years.

Following the first week of classes, the culmination of Welcome Week comes when Student Activities will host Block Party on Aug. 23, an annual kick-off to the school year that includes carnival rides, food trucks, and live music.

Costin said his message to the incoming students is to know that “the academic experience is key to what God is going to do in your life,” in addition to the many opportunities they will have in making friends and building community on campus and in the local churches.

“These four years are going to be, for most students, the most fulfilling, rewarding, preparatory experience of their life,” Costin said. “And what happens in these four years, spiritually, mentally, physically, emotionally, relationally, helping you understand what resilience looks like, is going to equip you to prepare you for the next 50 or 60 years. Enjoy the experience, (and) do your homework as God transforms you into a Champion for Christ here at Liberty University.”