Pfeiffer welcomes new students to campus

Sunday, August 17, 2008 August 18, 2008 09:14 am

— MISENHEIMER — Year after year, nervous students — and parents — in overstuffed vehicles make the trek to Misenheimer during Pfeiffer University’s annual Move-In Day. Hundreds from across the country will join campus life and move into Pfeiffer’s 11 residence halls on Friday and Saturday.
Pfeiffer’s entire campus will be abuzz with incoming freshmen and transfer students. School officials will welcome nearly 300 new undergraduate students — representing approximately 25 states and eight different countries — to Misenheimer. Incoming freshmen will meet new roommates and work diligently to make the carload of belongings necessary for a life on their own fit into a single room. Parents hover nearby to assist with heavy objects and fuss over their teenagers for a few last moments. With classes beginning Tuesday, incoming freshmen will have a few days to adjust to residence life and discover campus.
Campus move-in is filled with excitement and tears as new students begin life away from home and returning students are reunited with the friends who were separated by summer.
“This is consistently an electrifying time for our students and their families as well as the Pfeiffer community,” said Dr. Tim Coley, vice president for student development.
“Pfeiffer students, especially freshmen, will be making many life adjustments in the immediate future. We are fortunate to have so many dedicated student leaders, staff and faculty to help them on their journey during this transition.”
What’s new?
Not only will new students join the Pfeiffer family, but 23 new faculty and staff members are also expected.
Additionally, physical transformations are taking shape.
Several exciting building renovation projects are complete while others continue on the Misenheimer campus. An extensive $3 million restoration continues in the 43-year-old Stokes Student Center. With the passing last November of Pfeiffer’s third president and President Emeritus Dr. J. Lem Stokes II, this building continues to be a wonderful tribute to a man who helped transition Pfeiffer from a junior college to a four-year institution.
Renovations to the student center will continue throughout the year. The main floor, outfitted with new furniture and plasma televisions, is complete and houses student development and student ministries. The bookstore, which is now a shopper’s paradise, has reopened in a brightly lit and sleek space. The dining hall restoration has been completed, with a patio, and will reopen this week in its vibrant and spacious food court style atmosphere. Other modifications are being made to the campus hub, and each phase will reopen as construction is complete.
On the north side of campus in the administration building, a new enrollment management center is front and center on the main floor. A $200,000 gift from The Cannon Foundation, Inc. helped Pfeiffer to create the center, which is located in the university’s 85-year-old administration building. The enhancement of the area will provide a better way to serve current and prospective students, their families, and visitors, by creating a more cohesive, welcoming and efficient environment.
The offices of financial aid and admissions will occupy the newly renovated 3,300-square feet space. In addition to providing a more centralized hub for students and visitors that will enhance all aspects of the enrollment process, the improved space will also provide a significant redesign of the admissions and financial aid offices so the two departments have a single visitor entrance and a better use of the area.
The enrollment management center will be complemented by additional renovations that were already made this year to the business and academic offices, both also located in the administration building.
The project includes a new welcome station, new furnishings, a plasma television, mechanical upgrades, including to HVAC that will provide a more comfortable and effective work environment for staff.
“As we look ahead to this upcoming academic year, there are some amazing occurrences scheduled to take place and those will be tremendous,” said Pfeiffer President Dr. Chuck Ambrose, who will celebrate 10 years at the helm of the institution.
“This academic year promises to be, perhaps, the most exciting as the university continues to prepare servant leaders for our community and the world.”

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