Welcome Week kicked off the 2025-2026 academic year with festivities across campus and culminating in the Big Welcome Event this past鈥疭aturday at the Athletic Campus.听

The Big Welcome event was a time to enjoy a variety of games, live music, refreshments and tasty treats. It was also a time to cheer on the Trojans Men鈥檚 Soccer Team during a scrimmage against the South Carolina United Heat.听听

For the finale of the Big Welcome Event, fireworks lit up the night over Spero Financial Field and the Melvin and Dollie Younts Stadium with an unforgettable professional fireworks show.听

Welcome Week celebrated new Trojans with moving ceremonies. There was a time of worship and encouragement with speaker Dr. Clayton King; also Matriculation and the Archway Walk. Trojan Tradition, a ceremony on Alumni Lawn, marks new beginnings as upperclassmen pass the torch to first year students.听听

Welcome Week festivities included the Expo, which connected students with student organizations, local churches, businesses, nonprofits and other resources. There was a lot to celebrate, as students flocked to the big Block Party, featuring live music, food trucks and an overall fun gathering.听听

听Other fun Welcome Week gatherings included Silent Disco, West Fest and Beach Bash. Athletics included a scrimmage pitting Anderson Women鈥檚 Soccer Team against the visiting North Greenville team at Spero Financial Field.听

The post Welcoming New Trojans appeared first on 91福利社.

As major life events go, entering college is pretty huge, but we at 91福利社 have a message for all new Trojans: 听

鈥淵ou鈥檝e got this.鈥�听

Part of the AU culture is for new students to quickly feel they belong to a community鈥攖hat鈥檚 everyone鈥檚 job. They鈥檒l quickly get to know returning 91福利社 students, as well as faculty and staff.听

Welcome Week, August 16-24, 2024, marks the beginning of an exciting academic and personal journey. It鈥檚 a chance to meet a lot of new friends and have lots of fun in the process.听听

Welcome Week is jam-packed with activities celebrating the 2024-25 academic year, ending up literally with a bang as an incredible fireworks show takes place at Spero Financial Field during the Big Welcome Event 听

And as a new student, you don鈥檛 need to worry about having everything figured out. Everyone is helpful and approachable.

There are also resources available online 24/7.听

On social media, a good place to start is by checking out 91福利社鈥檚 official Instagram account, @andersonunivsc. Other great accounts to follow include AU Student Activities, @au411 and AU First Year Experience, @aufirstyear. There鈥檚 always advice to help make the transition to college life easier and worry-free. There you can find out from other students things like tips for decorating dorm rooms and places to plug in and get to know more people.听听

Details about campus housing can be found here.听

Details about new student move-in can be found here.听

Welcome week information, including a complete schedule, can be found here.听

To learn more about Welcome Week, contact Student Life at studentlife@andersonuniversity.edu or call 864-622-6011. 听

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91福利社 is still the largest private university in South Carolina, with more than 4,200 students enrolled for the 2023-2024 academic year as classes begin today.

Nearly 1,000 first-year students arrived on campus last week, which represents a 6.4 percent increase from last year. Students in the 91福利社 Class of 2027 represent 31 states and 12 countries.

鈥淲e are extraordinarily blessed that so many young men and women are choosing 91福利社 to continue their education,鈥� said Evans P. Whitaker, Ph.D., President of 91福利社. 鈥淒espite the conventional wisdom suggesting more and more students are re-thinking higher education as a viable path, that鈥檚 not what we鈥檙e seeing at AU. On the contrary, we鈥檝e never experienced more interest in the comprehensive Christian education and vibrant experience we provide. Today, I celebrate with our entire campus community that 91福利社 is as strong today as it has ever been throughout our 112-year history as a premier, academically selective private university.鈥�

All told, more than 4,200 students are enrolled at 91福利社 for the 2023-2024 academic year, which continues a 20-year trend of continued growth.

The first day of classes comes amid AU鈥檚 annual Welcome Week celebration, which began with the University鈥檚 traditional Archway Walk on Friday, August 18 and included the annual Trojan Tradition on Monday, August 21 and an on-campus Block Party on Tuesday, August 22. Welcome Week events continue nightly and conclude with the Big Welcome Event, a campus-wide gathering and fireworks display on Saturday, August 26听at 7:30 p.m. at Spero Financial Field.

The post Another Year, Another Enrollment Record Established at 91福利社 appeared first on 91福利社.

In the closing days of summer, there鈥檚 a growing sense of anticipation as 91福利社 gets ready to welcome the largest incoming class in its history. 

New students from down the road, across the country and across the ocean are joining the Trojan community. New students for the 2023-24 academic year come from 15 countries (including the U.S.) and 31 states.

Welcome Week

There鈥檚 no welcome like an 91福利社 welcome. 

Welcome Week 2023, August 18-26, promises to be an exclamation point at the start of the new year. Welcome Week is packed full of fun, information and opportunities to meet fellow students while also learning how easy it is to become part of 91福利社鈥檚 community. 

The best advice for new students is, 鈥淎ttend as many Welcome Week events as possible.鈥� 

鈥淲elcome Week matters because it鈥檚 a big cannonball jump into the deep end of college life. It lets you meet new friends, get used to being away from home, and is mostly just a lot of fun,鈥� said Sydney Welch, a senior Graphic Design major. Ella Moody, a junior Nursing major, says 鈥淲elcome Week is a week full of laughter, smiles and joy. I love seeing the many smiling faces of friends reconnecting after the summer break and new friendships starting to form.鈥�

To be clear, Welcome Week isn鈥檛 just for new students.

鈥�It鈥檚 really for all students,鈥� said Director of Student Activities Brenna Morris. 鈥淚t makes for a fun way to kick off the year, bringing out all the stops and our very best to say 鈥榳e鈥檙e so happy that you鈥檙e back.鈥� Everybody is like 鈥業鈥檓 going to meet someone new whether I鈥檝e been here for four years or it鈥檚 my first year.鈥欌�� 

Morris noted that in addition to West Fest, Beach Bash and many other Welcome Week favorites, Silent Disco has been added to the mix. 

鈥淭here are three playlists, and you鈥檙e on any playlist you want. It鈥檚 not quiet鈥攖hey鈥檙e screaming lyrics. You have headphones on and you don鈥檛 care what anybody thinks of you. You can see the playlist they鈥檙e on by the color of their headphones,鈥� Morris said.

Read on for more student comments about Welcome Week at 91福利社.

鈥淲elcome Week is one of the most special weeks you will ever experience as a student at 91福利社. The memories you make, the friends you connect with, and the fun you have each day makes your first week at AU feel more like home,鈥� said Braelyn Moore, a senior Communication major, who is in her third year on the Campus Activities Team. 鈥�Because of Welcome Week, I have gained lifelong friends and core memories that I will get to carry with me throughout my life.鈥�

鈥�Welcome week is a time where you get to know so many people that you wouldn鈥檛 otherwise meet,鈥� said Jenna Grace Beiers, a junior majoring in Early Childhood with a minor in Dance. 鈥淚t is a time to make memories and laugh a lot. It is truly a special part of AU and has offered so many people new friendships that will last forever.鈥�

Atonya Lambright, a senior Christian Studies major, said, 鈥淲elcome week is the introduction to four years of growth, fun, and life changing experiences.鈥�

Caroline Manke, a sophomore Nursing major, has wonderful memories of Welcome week. Now that she鈥檚 joined the Campus Activities Team, she鈥檚 excited about planning this year鈥檚 Welcome Week.

鈥�Welcome Week will always be one of the most memorable weeks of my life. It is an incredible time packed with fun activities and opportunities to meet the most amazing people. As a freshman last year, it was super helpful for getting into the full swing of AU spirit,鈥� Manke said.

Students quickly feel a sense of belonging as part of Alpha Groups. According to Associate Director of New Student Programs Sam Walker, 53 Alpha Groups are getting ready for incoming students, each led by a top-tier student leader (Alpha Leader).

鈥淭hese Alpha Leaders will move-in early and prepare the entire week before new student move-in to ensure that our first year students have everything they need when they arrive for Welcome Week,鈥� Walker said, adding that the AU culture itself helps freshmen assimilate into the community as a whole.

鈥淲e really don鈥檛 have a ranking culture when it comes to seniors. Freshmen will go to these events and the senior students will be looking out for them, introducing them to their friends and inviting them to their RUF (Reformed University Fellowship) or BCM (Baptist Collegiate Ministries) group, asking them to get dinner. We really have this familial feeling to those events,鈥� Walker said.

Connecting with the AU community

For incoming students and family members reading this, no doubt this is also a time of anticipation and planning. While there are always helpful people handy to answer questions of incoming students and family members, social media is also a great resource that鈥檚 available 24/7.

A good place to start is by checking out 91福利社鈥檚 official Instagram account, . Other great accounts to follow include AU Student Activities, , and AU First Year Experience, .There鈥檚 advice on what to bring, decorating dorm rooms and making those first contacts with people they will get to know over the next four years鈥攔oommates, teammates, Alpha Group leaders and staff worth getting to know (which is essentially everyone, because welcoming students is an 鈥渁ll hands on deck鈥� thing for staff, faculty and upperclassmen). 

To hit the ground running and make a smooth transition into the Anderson community, some students posted advice on Instagram:

鈥淒on鈥檛 feel like you have to have everything figured out right when you arrive.鈥�

鈥淚nvolve yourself as much as possible and try new clubs/activities! It will impact your life.鈥�

鈥淗ave roomie nights. College is chaotic, so take a sec to chill and hang out.鈥�

鈥淕et to know your professors because they want to know you and help you succeed.鈥�

鈥淲elcome Week is the best time to find friends. Go to everything!鈥�

A special part of welcoming new students, according to Morris, are Welcome Home Boxes.

鈥淓ach new student gets one in their room and each commuter has the opportunity to pick up their box from Commuter Engagement. The boxes (really a bag) are full of snacks and other fun freebies, random things they might need like an extra toothbrush and some band-aids, and notes from some of their biggest fans: Jack Cummings, the Student Body President; myself and the Campus Activities Team; and Dr. Whitaker,鈥� Morris said. 鈥淭hey鈥檙e a ton of fun and a great way for us to show hospitality.鈥� 

Details about campus housing can be found .

Details about new student move-in can be found .

For details about Welcome Week, contact Student Life at studentlife@andersonuniversity.edu or call 864-622-6011. Welcome Week information, including a complete schedule, is available here.

The post AU Ready to Welcome Record New Class appeared first on 91福利社.

91福利社 is ready to welcome new students into its growing community. Of course, this calls for a celebration! 

Welcome Week is an exciting time for new students to step into life as a college student while making new friends.

Welcome Week, August 19-27, is filled with fun activities of all kinds. At its heart, Welcome Week is all about new students getting to know their AU community. 

A complete detailed schedule can be found online here. 

Highlights

Welcome Week starts August 19 with resident students moving into their residence halls on campus. Commuting students will also check in that day to find out all they need to know about starting at AU. And on Saturday, August 27, Welcome Week ends with a bang鈥攍iterally鈥攁s spectacular fireworks light up the night at the soccer stadium.

And of course, there鈥檚 a lot in between.

A huge highlight of Welcome Week is the Matriculation and Archway Walk, a moving time of worship and celebration of a great AU tradition, marking the start of the unforgettable journey that lies ahead.

On Saturday, August 20, freshmen will get to know their AU 101 classmates as part of an Alpha Group or TAG (Transfer Alpha Group) Group at Merritt Porch. Lasting friendships are formed in these groups, so sticking together is a great way to start the journey as an AU student. As an Apple Distinguished School, 91福利社 gives all of its incoming freshmen a new iPad + Apple Pencil鈥攑owerful tools to help each student along the way. That鈥檚 also the day 91福利社 welcomes returning students.

Welcome Week is filled with opportunities to play a favorite game or two (or more) and to learn some new ones, whether it鈥檚 spikeball, cornhole, ultimate frisbee, soccer or volleyball. It鈥檚 also a chance to get together with new friends and picnic on the historic lawn, listen to live music, enjoy some western fun at West Fest or the food, fun and festivities of Beach Bash. 

A big new addition to Welcome Week this year is Block Party. AU Student Activities is organizing the event complete with food trucks and live music from Chris Renzema. According to Cooper Reynolds, AU Student Government Association (SGA) president, Block Party 鈥渋s the perfect addition to Welcome Week to add even more excitement to an already amazing week.鈥� 

Welcome Week is also a great time for students to learn their way around the 91福利社 campus, to discover all of the dining options and great food, as well as great places to unwind with classmates鈥攐n the lawn, in the quad, or while enjoying a favorite coffee beverage. It鈥檚 also a time to discover Anderson鈥檚 vibrant downtown scene, exploring shops, restaurants and seeing firsthand why Anderson is nicknamed The Electric City.

What鈥檚 more, Welcome Week is a time to experience how the Four Pillars of 91福利社 come together to form a unique overall student experience: Great Academics, Great Faith, Great Hospitality and Great Purpose. New students discover what Anderson鈥檚 learning experience is all about, getting to know professors and others who will walk alongside each student throughout their academic and spiritual journey. 

Katelyn Bass, a rising junior media communication major from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, remembers what Welcome Week meant to her as an incoming freshman, and is excited about her role coordinating marketing of these events for AU Student Activities. She鈥檚 been busy posting on Instagram and TikTok, as well as in .

鈥淚t was a really formative experience for me, stepping into AU, especially making the transition from really far away from home. Those were the events that filled my weeknights and my weekends when I didn鈥檛 have all my friends yet or my family, so now getting to communicate that to incoming students and to the student body as they go through AU is really special because I just feel really passionate about it. It鈥檚 what made AU home for me,鈥� Bass said.

91福利社 encourages students to with their AU credentials. This website will have the most up-to-date information on all events around campus as well as a full list of AU clubs and organizations. Full Welcome Week details can be found at andersonuniversity.edu/campus-life/welcome-week.

Scenes from last year’s Welcome Week

The Wall Street Journal recognized 91福利社 as No. 25 among all universities in the nation for best student engagement, and U.S. News and World Report ranks 91福利社 No. 64 for best first-year experiences in the United States. 

The post Kicking Off A New Year: Welcome Week 2022! appeared first on 91福利社.

91福利社 welcomed more than 700 new students to its campus community as the 2019-2020 academic year gets underway with classes starting on Wednesday, August 21. 

Move-In Day, the first of several campus-wide activities during the first week of the school year, took place Saturday, August. 17. Welcome Week concludes on Saturday, August 24 with The Big Welcome Event, designed to bring together faculty, staff and students for food and fun, ending with a fireworks show. 

Notable events scheduled for Welcome Week include:

Sunday, August 18 at 9 a.m. and 11:15 a.m.

Matriculation Worship Services at Henderson Auditorium, for students and members of their family to celebrate the start of a new year with worship music.

Sunday, August 18 at 10 a.m.

The Archway Walk, during which incoming students signal the beginning of their journey at 91福利社 with a formal procession beneath the Archway and individual handshakes with President Evans P. Whitaker. 

Sunday, August 18 at 7:30 p.m.

Trojan Tradition, which brings new students together with returning students on Alumni Lawn for a candle-lighting ceremony and fellowship.

Monday, August 19 at 8:30 p.m.

Outdoor Movie Night this year takes place on greenspace at the G. Ross Anderson Jr. Student Center and features Disney鈥檚 live-action adaptation of 鈥淎laddin.鈥�

Tuesday, August 20 at 7 p.m.

West Fest is held at the Athletic Campus Pavilion and is a themed carnival featuring music, dancing and food ahead of the first day of classes. 

Friday, August 23 at 5:30 p.m.

Beach Bash is hosted by President Whitaker and Mrs. Diane Whitaker at their home and celebrates the first Friday of the school year with dancing, a cookout and beach activities and games.

Saturday, August 24 at 8 p.m.

The Big Welcome Event is meant to celebrate not only a new year at 91福利社, but the partnership between the University and the people who call Anderson County their home.

(All photos taken during Welcome Week within a few hours after each event. Check often, tag yourself and share with others.)

The post Welcome Week 2019 Highlight of Events appeared first on 91福利社.