By Message Staff
PINEVILLE – The incoming class at Louisiana College got the red carpet treatment Aug. 11 as they moved into dormitories around campus a week before the fall semester began.
A full entourage of campus administration and staff, members of the community, campus staff, football players and others greeted the incoming freshmen and transfer students while also assisting with taking personal belongings inside their new homes.
While final enrollment numbers will not be available until later in the semester, LC President Rick Brewer is optimistic the school will enroll 300 new freshmen for the 2018-2019 academic year. If he is right, it would mark the first time Louisiana College has enrolled 300 or more new freshmen for two consecutive years.
“Our admissions and recruiting teams have worked hard, and the fruit of their efforts is promising,” Brewer said. “Although we will not have a final enrollment number until after our drop/add date, we clearly are tracking toward our goal of enrolling 1,500 students by the year 2020.”
Among the new students excited about the upcoming school year was Brian Edwards, a missions and ministries major from Lindale High School in Lindale, Texas. He is looking forward to how Louisiana College will prepare him for the mission field.
“I heard that the professors were excellent, and I really like the small ratio between students and faculty,” Edwards said. “This call on my life was influenced through the example of my parents. Some of my relatives are in ministry as missionaries.”
Several local churches and businesses helped welcome the incoming class, including: Calvary Baptist Church, Alexandria; Circle Church, Alexandria; First Baptist Church, Pineville; Main Street Mission, Pineville; Philadelphia Baptist Church, Deville; Pineville Park Baptist Church, Pineville; Zion Hill Church, Pineville; Red River Bank (and its ice cream truck); Chick-fil-A; and Now Playing Card and Hobby Shop.
“We are indebted to all of our friends in CENLA, businesses and churches, that in increasing numbers are embracing and supporting the renewal of Louisiana College,” Brewer said. “Their support is as encouraging as it is humbling.”
