Home / News and Information /

Students attending Fall Orientation 2007 at Brewton-Parker College pose for a group photo in front of Saliba Chapel on the Mount Vernon campus Aug. 23. Classes began on the main campus Monday, Aug. 27. (Photo by Hayley Boisseau)

Fall Orientation brings new students, parents to BPC

147 freshmen moved in to main campus residence halls Wednesday

MOUNT VERNON—Brewton-Parker College held Fall Orientation 2007 for more than 145 new students on the Mount Vernon campus last week, according to Dr. Cindy L. Skaruppa, vice president for enrollment services.

The five-day activities began Aug. 22 at 10 a.m. when 14 faculty, staff and administration members, as well as student resident directors and assistants, helped incoming students move in to the residence halls.

A new BPC student and her mother are all smiles Aug. 22 during Move-In Day. (Photo by Ashley Byrd)

“It was fabulous. We had such a good time,” said Dr. Skaruppa of the move-in. “It was really well-appreciated by the families. If a parent or student had to carry something in, it was not often.”

Orientation activities included several fun events such as a campus-wide scavenger hunt, talent show and evening mixers in the residence halls; and several events for the parents, including a parent reception which included information on the transition from high school to college. President David R. Smith, and his wife, Jackie, also opened their home Wednesday for a special reception for students and parents as well.

Dr. Skaruppa adds the college began a new tradition on campus this year. Rev. Glenn Wallace, campus minister and advisor to the campus’ Baptist Collegiate Ministries (BCM) chapter, initiated a Memory Stone ceremony. The parent is given the opportunity to make a memory stone, which reminds them of their child’s first college experience and their time on campus with them, and a special ceremony included the “time capsule” of 12 rocks, based on the story in the Book of Joshua in the Bible, for the Class of 2011.

“I was told there wasn’t a dry eye in the chapel during the presentation,” said Dr. Skaruppa. “It was our way of letting the parents know that we are going to take good care of their students (children). It was a special time for parents to let go.”

Brewton-Parker College is the only accredited four-year Christian college in south Georgia.

Husband and wife team, Drs. Rolando “Joe” Tiu (left) and Julie Tiu (right), help a new student move in Aug. 22. The Tius teach psychology courses at the college’s main campus. (Photo by Ashley Byrd)

New students form a pyramid in front of the BPC Arch on the Mount Vernon campus during a photographic “scavenger hunt” activity during Fall Orientation 2007. (Photo by Christi Castleberry)

-BPC-