President Corey Cockerill urged WC’s new students to “step fully into this experience” and actively build their purpose during their time at Wilmington College. She told those attending the New Student Convocation on Friday (Aug. 15) that finding one’s purpose takes movement and sometimes they may feel as if they're being pulled in many directions while on this journey.
The New Student Orientation program ran from Thursday through Saturday. Fall Semester classes began on Monday.
Cockerill illustrated her point by hearkening her first week in college some 30 years ago. She started as a computer science major, switched to graphic design, then art education and journalism. “I felt like I was adrift without a mast,” she recalled, before determining her ideal academic path, agricultural communications. “It was finally my perfect field,” she said. “This is what building purpose looks like. You, too, can step into the choice that defines you.”
The president noted that finding one’s purpose is manifested in effort, character and how one “shows up” in the community. “Purpose is action — it grows when you step into roles you might think you’re not ready for,” she said, adding that purpose also is “relational” — “You don’t do it alone.” Also, purpose is cumulative. Cockerill quoted the late former professor and champion basketball coach at WC, Jerry Scheve, “Success is the accumulation of many little things done well.”
She also said, “People in this room (fellow students, faculty and staff) will become part of your story and you theirs. Actively building your purpose starts today.”
New students engaged in service projects as part of their three-day orientation program. Pictured are students sanding boards to be used in making children's beds for the local organization, Sleep in Heavenly Peace. Other students worked at Hope House, Sugartree Ministries, Prairie Oaks Retirement Village, the Clinton County Homeless Shelter, WC's Community Gardens and Hazard Arboretum, while others picked up trash along city streets.
Adam Lohrey, vice president for enrollment management and marketing, introduced the incoming class of 317 students — 284 freshmen and 33 transfers — as representing 190 different high schools and 15 states in coming from rural, urban, suburban and international hometowns. They have a cumulative 3.5-plus grade point average and displayed exemplary leadership skills in high school that should dovetail with their WC experience. Also, 44 new students are legacies as one or more of their parents, grandparents or siblings attended WC.
Student Government President Lexi Ward told the new students that, at WC, learning occurs both inside and outside the classroom. The College offers numerous campus organizations in which to explore interests and provides a multitude of opportunities for personal growth and leadership development. “I didn’t see my own potential,” she said in recalling her arrival at the College, “but Wilmington College saw it in me. WC is a place to discover your voice and define your values. The College will change you, but, more importantly, you will change yourself!”
New and returning students enjoyed the Wilmington College tradition of the Saturday Night Paint Party, which featured dance music choreographed by the spraying of colorful (nontoxic) fluorescent paint.