Welcome Weekend brought Asbury’s newest students together for four days of worship, friendship and tradition as a historic incoming class began its college journey.
Asbury University celebrated the start of its 137th academic year last week as new and transfer students arrived on campus for Welcome Weekend, Aug. 20-23.
This year’s incoming class gave the celebration even more significance. Asbury welcomed its second-largest cohort of first-time freshmen in University history, including 95 first-generation college students. New students represented 39 states and 21 countries, bringing a wide range of experiences and backgrounds to the Asbury community.
I have never been in a community so committed to a student’s intellectual, social, moral and spiritual formation like Asbury University."
“Students can expect to forge lifelong friendships, broaden their intellectual horizons, prepare for the next chapter of their life and have a transformative encounter with Jesus Christ.”
Across four days, students moved into residence halls, met classmates and professors, worshiped together and began discovering what makes the Asbury experience distinctive.
We have a lot of great faculty and staff members that invest in the lives of Asbury students."
That investment shaped the weekend. Students participated in the President’s Welcome and Valiant Class Photo, met faculty advisors and First-Year Experience groups, worshiped together and celebrated at events including AU on Deck, Asbury’s Got Talent and the Welcome Back Bash. Faculty and staff also opened their homes to students, creating opportunities for relationships to form beyond the classroom.
Welcoming the second-largest cohort of first-time freshmen in Asbury history represents more than enrollment growth; it means hundreds of new students are beginning an experience centered on academic excellence, spiritual vitality and life-changing community.
The milestone also came as Asbury began its 137th year of educating students since opening its doors for instruction in 1890.
As returning students joined the celebration and classes began Monday, Welcome Weekend transitioned into a new season of learning, worship and service.
For students arriving from across the country and around the world, the weekend marked more than the beginning of college. It welcomed them into a community ready to know them, invest in them and walk alongside them throughout their Asbury journey.
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