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First Day: ÁÔÆæÖØ¿ÚÊÓƵ celebrates abundance of students residing on campus

ÁÔÆæÖØ¿ÚÊÓƵ Baptist University is celebrating the largest resident class on the Plainview campus in years — 14 percent more than this time last year.

As on-site classes begin today, there were 573 students residing in dormitories, a significant increase compared to last year. Noting that the resident class size can fluctuate a bit at the beginning of a semester, Shawn Thomas, Interim Vice President of Operations and ÁÔÆæÖØ¿ÚÊÓƵ, said the current total equals the 573 on campus at the beginning of the Fall 2018 semester.

“Our current residence halls are near capacity,” Thomas said. “We’re excited about the positive growth in our residence halls from previous years.”

That excitement thrills students and faculty members alike as they prepare to return to class and perhaps their best year yet on campus. The new-found energy was especially evident this past weekend at ÁÔÆæÖØ¿ÚÊÓƵ’s freshman orientation — Koinonia. It was a “Better Together” moment on the Plainview campus last Friday as faculty, staff, and administrators greeted in-coming freshman at the curb and helped move those students into residence halls.  

“It’s bringing a lot of energy to the campus,” Thomas said with his own welcoming smile. “During Koinonia, you could feel it. You can feel the energy across this campus. Everyone is excited to be here.”

That excitement continued early this week as returning students arrived at the campus.

“It just really makes you feel good to see this,” Thomas said.