FHU Interface Welcomes New Students “Home”
Freed-Hardeman University welcomed a new class of freshmen and transferring students into the FHU family in August 2023 with another successful week of Interface. While many university campuses around the country offer new student orientation, FHU goes the extra mile to build relationships and a strong sense of community on campus by providing incoming freshmen additional opportunities to bond and make their first of many college memories.
“Interface is a program that intentionally focuses on new students getting comfortable with FHU and all that it offers,” FHU Dean of Student Life Tony Allen said. “By developing relationships that week, students can start to feel at home in an environment that will be challenging and rewarding. Our students are second to none. The leaders go out of their way to make new students feel welcome. This year’s Interface was no exception. I am proud of our student leaders and their commitment to caring for our student body. They show God’s love everyday.”
Student Carrying Cardboard Box into Dorm
Senior Addie Everson, now a graduate, has been heavily involved with Interface for each of her four years at FHU: first as a freshman participant, then as group leader her sophomore and junior years and now as a coordinator. Everson, a public relations major and marketing minor from Dallas, Texas, (moved to Jamestown, New York) remembered what it felt like to be a new student on campus, and she became inspired to get more involved. “I wanted to be one of the leaders to make sure [new students] would never feel alone (by eating lunch with them or sitting with them in chapel, for example),” Everson said. “I thought that someone else could use that, and I could be a good leader for them.”
As always, Interface festivities in the fall of 2023 kicked off with a freshman move-in day, a time to get acquainted with their new “home away from home” and to meet new classmates, dormmates and even some FHU faculty and staff members. New students were then introduced to their Interface groups, consisting of around 12-15 students each, and their two Interface leaders (one male, one female). This group became the student’s “family” for the week, helping them to find their way around campus and encouraging them to participate in activities.
A few popular Interface events included the MSYC Olympics, a faculty/staff vs. new student softball game, a luau, a concert in the commons, a carnival and a pig roast. One highlight event even involved a kayaking adventure down the Buffalo River. A trip that has become a favorite over the years, this activity had a great turnout with almost 400 students and leaders participating.
Students in Dorm Room
Alex Rush, a junior biblical studies major from Cookeville, Tennessee, also served as an Interface coordinator, a job which he said taught him personal lessons about effective planning, management and leadership. He also believes that this program promotes spiritual goals. “We, as upperclassmen, can give [freshmen] a home and sense of community, in Jesus,” Rush said. “Doing devotionals every night, showing love to each other, getting together and having fun – this is the community of Freed-Hardeman. We are coming together for a unified purpose.”
“By the time classes had officially begun, most incoming students were already becoming members of the FHU community,” Allen concluded. “Their experiences at Interface will be sure to prove an exciting beginning to an unforgettable college experience.”
