By Charles Romans
Carter County Times
Kentucky Christian University will be having an Open House on Tuesday, October 15, from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. to welcome potential new students. The event is designed to both showcase what the university has to offer and to give students a first look at what life is like on a college campus. Nathan Yates works in the Admissions Office, and is also an adjunct professor who teaches Introduction to The New Testament and College 101at KCU. Yates said the university is happy to welcome everyone to the open house on October 15.
“We’ve invited the high schools in our area and surrounding areas,” Yates said. “They will come in, get a bag with KCU information and other ‘goodies,’ and we will treat them to breakfast. We will go to Chapel after the breakfast so they will get experience what life will be like during their stay. After Chapel, we will give them a presentation that covers tuition, sports, majors, and things like that.”
Yates said the school has updated their open house for this year to include games like the ‘Minute to Win It’ to get students ready to go. After the games and presentation there will be a tour of the KCU campus which includes a game of disc golf.
“We have disc golf on campus,” Yates said. “And whoever gets a hole in one receives a gift card.”
Lunch follows the tour, and after lunch the group will separate into students and parents, respectively.
“That gives the parents some time to talk about their concerns for the student’s first semester and discuss things like financial aid. And the students will be taken over to our McKenzie Student Life Center. That’s where our coffee shop is, so we’ll get them free drinks from Starbucks and then take them into the student lounge where they can relax. They can also talk to the deans of the departments and the coaches if they are interested in sports.”
He said they’ve been reaching out to prospective students in various ways.
“We have an admissions counselor who has been going to schools in our area and around the state,” Yates added. “She has been giving out posters for the upcoming open house and has also been giving those out to the high school counselors.”
But posters and printed information can only convey so much information. The open house, he said, can help students and their families gain a better understanding of what the university offers.
“I think the open house gives students and their parents a way to see the campus differently,” Yates said. “We’ll have kids come all the time for campus visits. And most of those are set up by coaches. So, they’ll come and get the same presentation and tour, and they’ll get to speak to their coach; but unless they specifically request it or ask to, they don’t get the opportunity to sit and talk with one of the professors. But during the open house, you will definitely have time to take advantage of that. That way if they are interested in nursing, but haven’t told us that yet, they would be able to speak with the Dean of Nursing, and she can explain how that department works.”
Yates said one of the best things about KCU is that from day one you are treated like family. And regardless of whether your class has five other students or thirty, each professor takes the opportunity to get to know you and help you on the path to success.
Contact the writer at charles@cartercountytimes.com
