Lander University Hosts Orientation for Incoming Bearcats

Members of Lander University’s class of 2028 are beginning to acquaint themselves with campus and their peers.

The University kicked off summer orientation sessions on June 24, welcoming incoming Bearcats and their families to learn about services on campus, their academic colleges and more. Most of all, students were able to connect with other incoming freshmen who have the same majors and have some fun around campus while making those connections.

Students and their families were introduced to the University by Dr. Amanda Darden, vice president for Student Experience and Quality Assurance. Darden talked to the students about the importance of POP – being proactive, optimistic and present – telling students if they follow those three words, they will likely see successat Lander.

Orientation Leader Madison Pigford, an incoming senior, said her orientation was a really good experience and she wanted to help provide that experience for others.

“I think it’s really important because it can be one of the first places where you can actually find friends on the University campus and it can be the place where the University starts to feel like home to you because you can familiarize yourself with it,” Pigford said.

Orientation Leader Jaylen Ware, also a senior, said the chaos of orientation is fun. He has kept up with one student in particular from his orientation groups last year and said watching him grow and transition into college has been a joy to watch.

“There are so many moving parts that go into creating this experience for students and their families and so much adaptability from the team,” Ware said.  

“The team we have this year is amazing, I feel like they all deserve to be recognized just because of all of their hard work and how much they do for students, families and what we do for each other. Our team loves each other, and I think that is the reason we are able to give such a great experience to students and their families.”

Orientation will continue into July, and students will return to Lander’s campus in August. The first day of classes is August 19.

Photo: Orientation Leader Diamond Booker leads a group of incoming students through the plaza at Lander University during the first orientation session of the summer.  Photo by Lindsey Hodges.