By: Syd Bickers
Welcome Week officially marked the beginning of the 2011-2012 Milligan College school year. The week began with new student move-in day on Saturday, which commenced the four most challenging and enriching years that new Milligan students’ would spend together.
Early Saturday morning Milligan was bustling with families carting in bedding, clothing and appliances into the residence halls. My family was just one among the many darting in and out of Hart Hall as we emptied two vehicles of my belongings that were packed in like sardines. As my dorm room began to fill up and the floor slowly disappeared, my roommate and I wondered where we were going to be able to fit ourselves among our belongings.
After the chaos began to slow in the halls, many new students were left sitting in their rooms asking themselves the very same question: Where exactly do I fit in at Milligan?
That evening’s Matriculation Ceremony answered that question quite well.
I had highly anticipated Matriculation, but as I approached the podium to sign my name, I became disenchanted when my eyes fell on standard printing paper instead of an antique leather-bound book. Disappointed, I signed my name and returned to my seat. While I sat there watching others make their inscriptions I realized how meaningful this ceremony was. Though no worn book filled with names dating back to 1866 was to be found, the writing of our names signified the deep connection we held with each other and former students. It symbolized our shared membership in a much greater book than one that could ever be found on earth.
The events following Matriculation consisted of an adventurous day at Doe River Gorge, a delicious New Student Banquet on Monday evening and a refreshing, yet frigid, evening at Wetlands Water Park. During these activities I and other new students were able fraternize, before the pressure of our classes began to loom over us. We had the opportunity to get comfortable with one another.
As Welcome Week came to a close I was still having trouble fitting things just right in my room, but I was no longer worried about finding my place at Milligan.
Within my first week at Milligan I found that if you truly, wholeheartedly enroll here, you’ll find more than enough room for yourself.
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