Class identity bonds classmates
By Heidi Heater, a junior from Jackson, Ky.
“Hi, I’m Heidi, and I’m a member of the Consecrated class.” This is how current Asbury College students and alumni introduce themselves. For 75 years, each class has been given a unique name that carries them throughout their four years and beyond. Just ask members of the Wolves, Bears, Anointed, Peacemakers, Redeemed, Victors or Agape classes when they return for reunions 5, 10 and even 50 years out.
According to Carolyn Ridley, director of alumni relations and parent program, class identity started with the Gray Wolves in 1933. In addition to the College’s purple and white, the tradition of class colors began in 1934, followed by class hymns in 1937.
“Class identity really is a kind of a sub community,” Ridley said. “It gives you more of a family, a community of folks, that you started with and finished with, and you will be a part of until you die.”
The class sponsors, a male and female representative from the senior class, choose a class name, colors, and verse, which will be the freshman class identity for their four years at Asbury College. Names have evolved from animals to reflect a spiritual theme for the classes. During the first semester, the class chooses a hymn. It is tradition that when a class hymn is sung in chapel, that class stands and sings the first verse alone; then, the rest of the student body joins them for the remaining verses.
According to Jeanette Davis, advisor of the Consecrated class, this identity inspires a sense of unity and loyalty. Almost from the beginning, class activities begin such as freshman talent show, sophomore retreat and class prayer. No tradition would be the same 
without a little rivalry, and the classes take pride in one-uping each other by showing class spirit during Class Clash Bash, an annual competition. Consecrated class won the most recent competition.
“Class identity means that everybody at Asbury College has at least one really solid place to fit in and belong to,” Davis said. “It creates opportunities for people to work together on projects and overcome obstacles that allow for a lot of bonding to take place and relationships to grow stronger.” 
Davis cited sophomore musical, a time when the sophomore class prepares and performs a musical by themselves, as an example.
“Sophomore musical creates an opportunity for unity when people are figuring out how to do something like build a two-story set or choreograph a number for people who aren’t necessarily trained as dancers,” Davis said.
Not only does class identity foster new experiences and friendships, the class names inspire students to represent the name chosen for them.
“One of the cool things about a class identity is that it becomes your personal identity, too,” Kristen Reynolds, an Empowered senior from Billings, Mont., said. “It’s a goal that you try to attain for yourself throughout the four years at Asbury College. For me, it’s that I can be empowered through Christ.”
Released: April 11, 2008
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Tagged: features, class-identity and student-life
