University of North Alabama - Diorama Yearbook (Florence, AL)

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A time to learn SOAR gives new students the chance to find out about college life By Keith Pilgrim So, what is SOAR? It ' s a program that introduces new students to college life each year. SOAR is more than just a pre-registration program, however. Friendships that last a lifetime start at SOAR. There are many questions that beginning stu- dents may have, such as, What school should I major in? and What school clubs and pro- grams can I participate in? SOAR is a time for asking questions. SOAR, or Summer Orientation and Advanced Registration, is a two-day program developed to help beginning freshmen and transfer students with curiosities and uncertain- ties about college education. Freshmen may choose from any one of ten different sessions, and there is also a one-day session especially for re-entry students called Re-SOAR. New students are provided peer counseling and academic advising by a select group of counselors. The 12 counselors are seleaed during the spring semester from students of sophomore, junior, or non-graduating senior status. The counselors attend a week of camp at Bear Creek Educational Facility and attend a class where they learn, among other things, about group dynamics and the reasons for SOAR programs. Direaor of Student Aaivities Bob Glenn said that Rob Brooks, Jennifer Dicken, Russ Edwards, Laura Gray, Claudia Henao, Stacy Lee, Jill Lindsey, Lia Pope and Jennifer Sellers were an excellent group of SOAR counselors. He said, They worked very hard. Eight hundred and fifty students went through SOAR, and Dr. Glenn said, We fell very good about the program and had a 95 percent approval rating this year. The SOAR program was also fun for the counselors said Claudia Henao. She said, The SOAR counselors developed very close friend- ships and had a lot of fun participating in the SOAR program. Henao also said, The beginning freshmen learned how to deal with so many different people in groups. It broke down the barriers among students and created new friendships. SOAR also presented cabaret skits to enter- tain the students and make the new experience It broke down the barriers among students and created new friendships. — Claudia Henao of college less uncertain. According to Jayne Miller, student aaivities assistant, the cabaret show was all about a typical day at UNA. A skit about a math professor who goes into a song and dance rou- tine during a class, a spoof of the Student Development Center and a skit about an incoming freshman nerd who ends up with the best looking girl on campus were acted out. The SOAR cabaret cast members were Nikki Barrett, Brian Branscome, Joanna Morrow, Laura Leigh Parker, Angela E. Rue, Ashlee Had- dock and Amber Rhodes. Their director was Robert Allen Holder, associate professor of communications and theatre. Kevin Robison was the musical direaor. Also the cabaret crew, under technical direc- tor Jayne Miller, keep the show going during SOAR. The cabaret crew did all the grunt work such as moving things and setting up, and they became a close-knit group, according to Miller. You become a family for the summer, she said. The SOAR cabaret crew members were Todd Nelms, J. Craig Lewis, Paul Gartman, Michael Howard, Eric Berryman, James Conrad Bell and Jason Braly. SOAR ' S greatest result in the end is that a community atmosphere was aeated for incom- ing students. Fun with SOAR counselors — Claudia Henao and Lia Pope shou: Katie Glenn (daughter of Dr. Bob Glenn) a great time dancing in the University Center. Photo by John Cahoon. Follou: the leader! SOAR counselors lead future i ' yA students into another SOAR adventure. Wonder uhat ' s next? Photo by John Cahoon. SOAR SS

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Dancing, singing, anyone? The SO.-iR Cabaret ca»t per- forms for the SO.iKees. Front Rnic: Weatey ■ Mutey Thompmn. Laura Parker. Brian Bransrome. Back Rote: Mkki Barrett. .Uhlee Haddock. Angela Rue. Joanna Morroir. Photo by John Cahoon. A fairy godmother? Cabaret memhem perform a skit about a nerdy freshman Uhiley Thompmn) and hix fairy godmother (Angela Rue). Photo by John Cahoon, SZSOSR

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Guett apeaker Dr. Samuel Betance» traits for hia introduction by Uniremiiy President Robert L. Pottt at the Kcond annual convocationa ceremony aponaored by Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society. Photo by Shannon Weil . A popular apeaker. Dr. Betances uaea geatures to ernphaaize hia pointa. He encouraged atudenta to allow nothing to stand in the way of their education, and cited examples of how he overcame obetaclea in hia own life. The appreciative audience gave the apeaker a atanding ovation. Photo by John Cahoon. Dreaaed in their academic regalia, several profeaaora wait to Join the prr ceaaion into Sorton Auditorium. Tom Haggerty. biology; Max Gartman, foreign lan- guagea; Richard Hudiburg, psychology; and Paul E. Jones, HI, foreign languages, were among the faculty members participating in the convocation. Photo by Janet Waasner. 24 CODVOUtlOQ