If You Can’t Bring Them, Join Them
Published on April 13, 2021
JALC Students Services Takes New Student Orientation on the Road
As the world ground to a halt in March of 2020, so did the annual high school orientation events at John A. Logan College, but that didn’t stop Student Services staff from continuing to reach out to students. Each April, the College rolls out the red carpet for incoming first-year students. Students are brought to campus, where they receive breakfast and lunch, meet the entire student services staff, learn the ins and outs of campus, get help with their FASFA, enroll in classes, and get a student ID.
“We always tell them in the morning session that they arrived on campus as a high school senior, but they will leave as a college freshman,” said Dean of Students Dr. Tim Williams. “We look forward to this every year, and when we had to cancel last year, our staff did everything they could to reach out to those incoming freshmen to help them get enrolled.”
According to Williams, his staff was ready to do whatever it took to have the orientation events this year despite continued restrictions.
“Our staff pours a lot of time and energy into making it a special event for the students,” said Williams. “When we began the planning process, we decided that if restrictions prevented us from bringing the students to campus, we would just take the show on the road.”
Taking the show on the road is just what they have done. On April 7, Student Services staff rolled into Marion High School. MHS students were treated to the same high-energy welcome that they would have received on campus. The students were then divided into groups where they received information, took a virtual tour, and enrolled in classes. Two lucky students even had their names drawn to receive a $500 tuition waiver for the fall semester.
“We are taking all the required precautions. Everyone is wearing masks and social distancing, and we have divided larger groups up into two days. Still, the important thing is that we get to meet these students, honor them for their hard work, and welcome them to the Logan family,” said Williams.
Marion High School Guidance Counselor Bart Sinks was grateful for the effort put forth by the College to provide the orientation despite limitations and restrictions.
“We had a great couple of days with the Logan staff, they are doing a great job, and I love the relationship our students are building with the John A. Logan community,” said Sinks.
After two days in Marion, the staff headed to Johnston City on April 9 and will be at West Frankfort on April 14 and 15, Crab Orchard and Elverado on April 16, Trico on April 20, Du Quoin on April 21, Carterville on April 23, Murphysboro on April 27 and 28, Herrin on April 29 and 30, and Carbondale May 5 and 12. Events for Agape Christian School and homeschool students will be announced at a later date. Students should contact their high school guidance counselor to be included in their school’s event. Summer and fall registration are currently underway at John A. Logan College contact registration@jalc.edu for more information.
