Oklahoma Baptist University celebrated the arrival of new and returning students on Saturday, Aug. 17, during the University’s annual Move-In Day. The day is the kickoff to Welcome Week, a special week each year where new students are welcomed into the Bison family.
As new students and their families arrive in their vehicles at their residence centers, upperclassmen greet them with cheers of celebration and shake their cars to officially welcome them to Bison Hill. The upperclassmen, also known as Welcome Week Workers or Tri-Ws, then personally deliver all the students’ belongings to their rooms, allowing the new students and their families to enjoy the moment as they are warmly welcomed into the OBU family.
“This is really cool,” said incoming freshman Carly Scheihing of Guthrie, who will be majoring in psychology and was among the first to come around the oval and arrive at the WMU Residence Center. “It tells me that OBU is very welcoming and very community-based and driven, which is a great sign. When you drive up and everyone is excited to be there and no one is dragging their feet, it just sets the tone for what a great community this will be in the next four years.”
Cannon Seal is from the San Antonio, Texas area and is an incoming freshman majoring in student and family ministry. He was among the earlier arriving students at Agee Residence Center.
Seal said it took him about a week to get everything together at home.
“It seemed like it only took them about 30 seconds to unload it,” he said with a smile. “It’s a lot of fun, and it shows unity among the students. Everyone is working together to make sure you feel welcome. It’s a great start to the year. It definitely broke the ice.”
That excitement is not limited to freshmen on Move-In Day. Cole Raymick, a junior majoring in Biblical languages from Tulsa, was among those helping to unload cars. Raymick said it brings back great memories of when he was on the “incoming freshman” side of the experience.
“I remember being super excited and all the energy as we arrived,” he said. “There were nerves, but then right away you were involved. We hope everyone feels that excitement today.”
It’s also a special day for parents. Jason Crews of Angleton, Texas, was sitting and smiling in his pickup while waiting to pull forward at the WMU Residence Center. His daughter JuliAnna Crews is an incoming freshman, majoring in sports and recreation management.
“This is pretty awesome,” he said. “It just makes it feel like home and brings excitement to moving in. We are looking forward to all of this. I loved when we came to orientation and she got all of her stuff and we were leaving and everybody was out there cheering for her as soon as we got our packets. This is just a great welcome.”
Later in the day, following a separate student orientation and parent orientation, families and friends share a special time to say goodbye to their students and pray together before heading home. Students then begin the full Welcome Week experience, including familiarizing themselves with the campus, getting to know other students, and numerous events such as the President’s Vision and Worship, Ka-Rip Wars, Serve Shawnee, The Walk and Spotlight on Shawnee.
Fall classes begin on Wednesday, Aug. 21.
“It’s not just that we want to be fun and crazy,” Raymick said of the intended message of Move-In Day. “We want them to see that we really care for them as they come today and while they are here. That is definitely a testament to OBU.”
