Incoming Adrian College students get a ‘Sneak Peek’ of campus facilities
Posted Friday, July 09, 2021
Author: Mickey Alvarado
Approximately 1,200 visitors toured Adrian College’s campus over a two-day, “Sneak Peek,” event on July 8-9. The annual event offers incoming freshmen and their families a glimpse of campus accommodations and student life.
Adrian College anticipates an incoming class of more than 625 new students for the 2021-2022 academic year.
“We changed things up this year and made Sneak Peek a two-day event with three sessions each so we could provide a more intimate look at campus with more personal attention,” Frank Hribar, Adrian College Vice President of Enrollment and Student Affairs, said. “The two-day event worked out very well this year — everyone seemed to like the smaller groupings. Many students and parents commented about how helpful it was for them to have their questions addressed before arriving here in August, and were happy to get a tour of campus.”
Visitors browsed the Arrington Bookstore, dined indoors at Ritchie Marketplace or outside at a variety of food trucks, and toured campus facilities. The Sneak Peek days also provided access to a couple of residence facilities.
Administration and staff members were on hand both days to answer questions and discuss the upcoming fall semester.
Adrianna Tartaglia of Northville said she was recruited as a soccer player and after visiting campus was convinced Adrian College would suit her well. She’ll be majoring in Adrian College’s new Supply Chain Management program.
“In the fall, when I came down, I really liked the campus and people here,” Tartaglia said. “It felt like a home atmosphere.”
Adrian College President Jeffrey Docking told the freshmen class they will receive a great “experience” in addition to a solid education.
“All of the hard work has paid off! You are going to college!” Docking said. “It’s going to be absolutely fantastic! New friends, new athletic teams, new musical groups, student government to get involved in and eighty-five organizations. It’s going to be amazing! Although academics are the most important thing, no doubt about it, you’ve got to take care of the academics, college is a whole lot more than that at a place like this. It is an experience that will last you for the rest of your life!”
The biggest pull to Adrian College for Nate Durham of Grand Rapids was the Bulldogs’ successful baseball program and beautiful campus. He’ll be majoring in exercise science and athletic training.
Durham noted that he was impressed with the attention to every detail on campus.
“The president talked about it earlier, in his speech,” Durham said, “They really care about the students here.”
Docking mentioned how meticulous the College is about every detail, including the grass and grounds.
“We care how the lawns are mowed. We care how the little pink flowers glisten in the sun. We care about the T-shirt that you’re going to get today. We care about it all,” Docking said. “Because, we care about you!”
Students also had the opportunity to meet their new roommates to plan for the fall semester.
Many of the incoming students were able to get their college ID and pre-register for their fall classes in anticipation of Welcome Week in August.
Freshman Seth Parsons’ parents, Tanna and Chip, were thrilled with their son’s decision to enroll in Adrian College. Seth is from Toledo, Ohio. He will be a member of the Bulldogs’ rowing team and major in exercise science.
“It’s a small school, which is great,” Chip said. “From high school on, we’ve never had him in classes over thirty people. So, the smaller class sizes are really nice.”
Lillian Collins, a freshman from Marshall who will major in social work, said what initially attracted her to Adrian College was scholarship potential.
“I actually saw some of the scholarships on Facebook,” Collins said. She attended Harper Creek High School and said she received a full-tuition scholarship there.
Collins’ father, Andy, and sister, Alicia, toured campus with her.
“It’s a great campus, and great people work here,” Andy said. “I am absolutely comfortable leaving my daughter here.”
Docking concluded his opening remarks by telling the students they will realize in four years that attending Adrian College was the best decision they ever made.
“You are going to step into an institution that is really, really proud that you’re here, really student focused and really want you to succeed. And, you will. You are going to be surrounded by hundreds of people who want to launch our students into careers,” Docking said.
For more information about what Adrian College has to offer, visit adrian.edu.
