Northwest Missouri State University - Tower Yearbook (Maryville, MO)

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ncoming freshman begins his experience at Advantage Week Austin Gray began his college career with a new nuimmate and his first speeding ticket. But even that didn ' t hinder his nerves. I was the only one that knew about it, Gray said. And 1 was like I ' m away from home and now I ' m out here and I can get a speeding ticket and nobody cares. Along with freedom. Gray arrived at the Uni- versity optimistic about his surroundings. Everybody here that I ' ve talked to from going to freshmen meetings and places, and then advisers from Freshman Seminar to my classes make it alright, Gray said. And they are all just perfectly happy to be here and are happy with the students that are here; when- ever they talk about it, they make it sound like a nice place. As Gray settled into his residence hall, and said the large amount of people around was the coolest part of moving in. It was probably getting to know everyone on my floor, Gray said. I grew up with not a whole lot of people all the time, so getting to meet so many new people at once was prob- ably a highlight. He recalled one of the heaviest things he moved in was his refrigerator. Grav hauled it up the five flights of stairs due to the over- whelming number of people in line for the elevators. It was a long walk, Gray said. They [the elelvators] were so packed, it was no use in waiting in line. Among the people welcoming students to the University were Peer Advisers. PAs were students who assisted them during Freshman Seminar, helping freshmen adjust to life in college and their class work. They acted as a peer to talk to the freshmen if they needed help throughout the .semester. Freshmen had a chance to meet their PA during Advantage Week, a week of educa- tional and introductory activities. Of the 71 activities. Gray said his favorite one was Hardcore Safety. It taught the fresh- men how to be safe on campus and how to go for help if needed. Peer Advisor Stephanie James said each program or activity had a role and hopefully someone would learn something while at- tending them. Everything has a specific purpose in Ad- vantage Week, James said. They can ben- efit if they really listen to the info given, they might not be a benefit to one person, but somebody else it would have benefited in the group because some of the freshmen are re- ally aware of the world and some are coming from a sheltered environment. When the first weekend ended, and upper- classmen were settling in, Grav prepared to begin his first college classes. Despite being late to his first class, Ameri- can Historical Survey, Gray liked how his professor. Matt Johnson, went about teaching the class. I really, really liked the teacher, Grav said. He was the exact teacher I ' ve always heard of that you are going to have at college. He told us straight out what was going to happen and what was going on. It was good to hear that instead of all that mumbo-jumbo you get a lot of times. ■ Writer | Kelsey Garrison Designer | Mary Clark Experiencing his first college class, Austin Gray listens to his adviser during Freshman Seminar. Students in his class got to know one another better by play- ing the hey that ' s me game. photobyChm Lee DV«NTATEl.)l I

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With a big smile on his face Austin Gray, along with friend Brooke Brinsa, carry his belongings into Dieterich Hall on move in day. Residents began moving onto campus the Thursday before classes started. Fresh- men met with their seminar classes and advisers during Advantage Week, photo by Chris Lee After receiving his laptop, Austin Gray sets up his password and registers his com- puter. All students living on campus could rent their own personal laptop to use throughout the year, photo by Chris Lee d Members of Cat Crew assist incoming residents of Millikan Hall during move in day. Hundreds of volunteers came to help new residents move m. photo by Chris Lee OlOlSTUDEMT LIFE

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Ice water runs down Meghan Ziebarth ' s arm after grabbing a winning rubber duck. Ziebarth, like many students at Fall Fest, became a winner, photo by Manha Jennings n front of a packed DieterichHall lounge, Nikki Welborn plays a song on the piano. Welborn was one of two acts to show off skill on the piano during the Dietrich and Millikan Hall talent show, which was a part of the monthly weekend programming provided by Residential Life, Residence Hall Association and each residence halls ' hall council, photo fay Chris tee The duo of Josh Middendorf on guitar and Shanen Hill, singing Avril Lavigne ' s I ' m with You , showcase their talent during the Dieterich and Millikan Hall talent show. About a dozen acts entertained residents during the show with all participants and audience members receiving free tickets to the Hangar movie theater as an incen- tive for the weekend programming pro- vided by Residential Life, Residence Hall Association and each residence halls ' hall council, photo by Chris Lee 13ISTUDEMT LtFE