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

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Theresa New and her parents, Bonnie and Richard Oberlechnen, share a picnic on Family Day. Fami- lies enjoyed music by KDLX while eating. Photo by Tony Miceli. Taking a break in Family Day activi- ties are Noreen and Don Stolle. The favorable weather on Family Day brought many parents to Northwest. Photo by Tony Miceli. Shereen Baird chats with her mother, Connie Baird, at a welcome held in Millikan Hall on Family Day. For many parents, the day was a chance to catch up on their child ' s life away from home. Photo by Jon Britton. 16 Family Day

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Adjusting to changes, students work at ir 1 1 ' Vl :, y Preparing for the fall semester, Wendy Hart shops with her parents at Walmart. Buying new supplies and space-saving de- vices seemed to be part of the ritual of preparing for a new school year. Photo by Jack Vaught. The end of summer signified a ritual that took place for many col- lege students. Summer jobs began to wind down, vacations had all been taken and fall fashions began to go on sale. These occurrences meant only one thing, the new school year loomed near. The beginning of school affected stu- dents in different ways, but one aspect that everyone had to deal with was get- ting settled. These settlements varied from moving into a new living arrange- ment, to adjusting to changes that took place at Northwest. Perhaps the biggest group of people who had to get settled was freshmen. Adjustments included new rooms, room- mates, classes and dealing with new free- doms. Some found they adjusted well. Mainly I was anxious about the new experiences and about being on my own with no one to tell me what to do, Laura Moore said. However, things did not go as smoothly for all freshmen. I had a few sleepless nights trying to get used to the mattress and it took awhile to get used to the different types of food on campus. Alex Luers said. While freshmen dealt with these ad- justments, some upperclassmen had to deal with moving back into the residence halls. Reasons for these moves varied from money to mere convenience. For some upperclassmen, convenience niled where they ended up living. 1 only needed an apartment for six weeks, and no place would rent for that amount oftime. TrishaObermeier said. It wasn ' t hard to get adjusted to living back on campus, because 1 had to share a room when I didn ' t live in the dorm anyway. What I really liked about living on campus was the positive atmosphere MM which promoted a secure family setting. While some people decided to move back on campus, others chose to take a big step and move off campus. For some this could be an exciting and worthwhile move. People gave cost and freedom as motivation. Other reasons to move in- cluded privacy, larger rooms and more peace and quiet. There were advantages and disadvan- tages to any change, but the biggest ad- vantages were the privacy, freedom and of course the cheaper rent. Sheila Wood said. However. I found that because 1 did not live on campus I was not as inclined to participate in campus activi- ties. Also, having no computer and hav- ing to get up earlier to get to class were some serious negatives. In my case 1 thought the advantages definitely out- weighed the inconveniences. On the academic side of getting settled, returning students had to adjust to changes in the B.D. Owens Library. A new copy machine operating off a debit card, eliminated .(, Mainly, I was anxious about the new expe- riences and about being on ' 91 pockets of change and variations in the shelving of journals made life easier for some, while it angered others. Although it looked confusing. 1 thought once 1 figured it out. it was easier. Anita Fisher said. Although set- tling into campus — — - — life was an old habit for some, changes made it a new experience. For new mem- bers of the Northwest community, be- coming adjusted to all of their surround- ings was definitely easier said than done. — Je :vifer Krai. my own, Laura Moore said. Getting Settled 15

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, Pride, enthusiasm bring parents to share radition Even Bobby Bearcat takes time out to be with his mother, Mary Jane Hendrickson. Bobby was a big part of Family Day activities as he trav- eled about campus to entertain fami- lies. Photo by Scott Jenson. As THE SUN BEGAN TO SHINE on the sleepy Northwest cam- pus, they arrived in a steady stream of cars. The cool, fall morning was the perfect set- ting for the moment they all anticipated. Mothers and fathers stepped out of their cars, stretched their legs and smoothed the wrinkles travel had left in their clothing. From back seats emerged boxes and bags filled with gifts and treats for their children. They made the trek to where they would meet their offspring and a Northwest tradition car- ried on. Family Day 1992 had begun. We traveled 290 miles to see our son, but it didn ' t really seem that far, Karen Lancaster said. We were really looking forward to seeing him, and the trip was well worth it. The day held much in store for parents and students to enjoy, including welcom- ing ceremonies, residence hall and de- partmental open houses, a picnic lunch and a football game against the Univer- sity of Missouri-Rolla. Christy Christiansen thought Family Day was an ideal time for parents to see their children in a new atmosphere. We went to the picnic and the game and it was a lot of fun, Christiansen said. It gave parents a chance not only to meet teachers, but also to meet my new friends and to talk to other parents. Family Day began with a convocation in the Mary Linn Performing Arts Cen- ter, where the University Chorale and the Northwest Cheerleaders provided enter- tainment, and President Dean Hubbard welcomed families. This was our third Family Day and we were excited because our daughter sang at the opening ceremony with the cho- rale, Dee Ashley said. It was fun. Following the convocation, parents toured the academic buildings. Some parents expressed pride in the choice their child had made to attend Northwest. I had a lot of pride in my daughter ' s college selection because I am an alum- nus, Bob Sweeney said. It was good to see her carry on after me. It was also nice to come and see some old faces, meet some new and see the changes. Students and their families enjoyed a picnic lunch by the Bell Tower while listening to music provided by KDLX. After lunch, families joined at Rickenbrode Stadium for the football game and cheered Northwest on to vic- tory. Through touring Northwest and get- ting a taste of the college experience, parents seemed pleased with what the University had to offer. When my son first went away to col- lege, I didn ' t want him to leave, Mary McCauley said. But he has made a lot of good friends and has gotten a good edu- cation. Northwest was definitely the right choice for ' — — him. As families pre- pared for the trip home and began to say goodbye to students, they seemed happy with the Family Day ac- tivities. We had a nice time touring the campus, Sweeney said. But my fa- vorite part of the day was being with ' my daughter. Family Day 1 992 was again a success, and seemed to be a positive experience for everyone involved. Jemfer Gathercole We had a nice time touring the campus • i Bob Sweeney said. But my favor- ite part of the day was being with my daugh- ter. ' ' Family Day 17