MURRAY, Ky. — New students at Murray State University started their college journey the second weekend in August during Great Beginnings 2018. Great Beginnings is a Murray State tradition 24 years in the making. Each year, in the days leading up to the fall semester, first-year and transfer students make their way to campus to experience a variety of fun and informative activities. The annual event is an official way to welcome them to Murray State and to help ease the transition to college before classes begin.
“Great Beginnings provides students with events designed to acclimate them to college life,” said Re’Nita Avery, director of the Curris Center and student life. “Their first weekend on campus is packed with fun, exciting events that give them a glimpse of the great experiences they will have throughout the year.”
Great Beginnings 2018 officially kicked off Aug. 11 during campus move-in day at the residential colleges. Upperclassmen joined faculty and staff members in assisting new students as they moved into their new home away from home. The first-year students were then introduced to their Great Beginnings leaders, a volunteer group of student ambassadors helping guide the new Racers through their introduction to life at Murray State.
“I had a great experience with Great Beginnings as a freshman and wanted to help these students to feel comfortable and accepted on campus,” said Rhyan Saunders, a sophomore from Louisville and Great Beginnings leader for fall 2018. “Some advice that I would give is to step out of your comfort zone, because stepping out of your comfort zone is when you grow the most.”
Following move-in at the residential colleges, students began the process of getting to know the campus and their classmates. A number of educational sessions took place, including “Blurred Lines: The Five Rs of Title IX” and panels about money management, tips from professors and the power of persistence. Students also attended the Explore Murray event in the CFSB Center to learn about local businesses and organizations in the greater Murray community.
A variety of fun activities in the evenings encouraged students to get out of their rooms and to experience campus life. These events ranged from Glow-in-the-Dark Zumba and Waterfield Wired to the Racer Band Concert, Bingo Night and Racer Drive-in Movie Night. Then, the afternoon before classes began, the festivities culminated with the annual Parade of Racers through campus and the Blue & Gold Celebration in Lovett Auditorium.
“After months of preparation, it is very rewarding to see our new Racers arrive on campus,” Avery said. “They are full of excitement, energy and enthusiasm when they arrive on move-in day. It is a wonderful experience to help them begin a new chapter of their life.”
Great Beginnings activities will continue into the new semester with events like the Gold Rush, Career Services Open House, Hire-A-Racer Student Worker &; Part-time Career Event and Student Organizations Fair still to come. All students are encouraged to view the entire Great Beginnings schedule at murraystate.edu/greatbeginnings.
