Mississippi State University - Reveille Yearbook (Starkville, MS)

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LUlklU A ■Mi of the most important summer events is the summer orientation program. Orien- tation for 1986 was held between May 26 and June 26. Jimmy Abraham, assis- tant dean of student services, is in charge of the program. The main purpose of orientation is to help new students with their transition from high school or junior college to a major college. Student orientation leaders are chosen during the fall semester and begin training in the spring in preparation for summer. Quoting from the October 18, 1986 issue oiThe Reflector, Abraham added, ' The main function of the orientation leader is to help students and parents get adjusted to Mississippi State University and feel comfortable with their decision to come to Mississippi State. It is impor- tant that we try to relieve as many anx- ieties as possible. Activities include a tour of the campus, the chance to speak with department advisors, and pre- registration. Orientation ' 86 proved to be successful with 1,354 freshmen par- ticipating which is 34 more than last ■,..- r Also in the summertime, Mississippi State University is host to an assortment of summer camps. Some of which are baseball, basketball, computer, football, cheerleading, 4-H, art, leadership, band, and many more. Summer campers and any other visitors are welcome to visit our campus anytime. State and its students and faculty always consider it an honor and privilege to act as hosts. SUMMER 25

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,. ; ?£ •«ell I » v » a l I Whew! This past summer was another typical hot and humid Mississippi sum- mer. We sweated through over a month-long heat wave of upper 90s and 100+ temperatures. Thank goodness for air conditioning or else we would not have been able to survive such intense heat conditions at MSU. While the majority of people were busy cooling off, there were a small number of industrious students here on the campus of Mississippi State busy pursuing their studies. For these summer school students, not many activities were planned for their pleasure; but,they pro- bably did not have much free time for extra-curricular activities, anyway. Sum- mer classes, which move at a much faster rate than regular ones, kept them busy doing homework and studying. Summer is the time for changes and renovations for most college campuses; Mississippi State University was no ex- ception. Some of the most noticeable changes are the roads in front of McCool and Allen Halls. Both are now two-laned with opposite one-way traffic directions. The addition of an access road to Hum- phrey Coliseum from Lee Boulevard north of campus is another improve- ment. Further renovations include the replacements of the sidewalk between Butler and Garner Halls and th| sidewalk perpendicular to McCool anu the flagpole. Work was also begun 01 improving the exterior of the Chapel o Memories; it should have been com pleted in December. During the summer, over one hun dred professional positions were lost dul to resignations or retirements. Many wer caused by the funding cutbacks of la; spring. A significant number of peoplj who resigned left to find better payim jobs. The budget cuts are also hurtim, the financial aid department, especial! ' 1 in the Pell Grant area. Now changing to a lighter note, or 24 SUMMER

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Orientation 1986. . .the experience of a lifetime! After the members of the 1986 Orientation staff were named in late November, the next seven months were filled with excitement, hard work, and lots of great memories. The Orientation Staff is responsible for meeting the needs of incoming freshmen and transfer students to Mississippi State University. The Orien- tation leaders worked hard during the spring semester to prepare themselves mentally and physically for the month of June. They took a class on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays under Dr. Jim- my Abraham, the Director of Orienta- tion. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, they did aerobics together, and they often had extra class meetings on Sundays. The Orientation Leaders helped the Universi- ty by calling and writing high school students and transfer students and their parents to encourage them to attend the Orientation sessions in June. In April, the Orientation Staff travel- ed to Mobile to participate in the Southern Regional Orientation Workshop. There, they recaptured the 1st place Overall trophy for MSU for the second year in a row. They also won first place in the skit competition, the son competition, and the brain strait match. The Orientation Leaders also work diligently to prepare themselves for th individual small group sessions. Th ' wrote their own script, designed a f chart, and practiced long hours on th communication skills before the month arrived. June finally came brir ing new MSU students, new friends, a the most rewarding summer that t Orientation Leaders had ev experienced! Ashleigh Arm 26 SUMMER