More than 120 members of the Class of 2015 participated in this year's Freshman Retreats sponsored by the Lilly Center for Vocation and Values.
The students were joined by more than 40 members of the Catawba faculty and staff and members of the Lilly Center Retreat Leadership Corps (RLC), who planned and led activities which helped the students get to know one another and achieve a comfort level for the new college experience. Students were also prompted consider what is important in life and how their values and passions can help them determine the vocations they will pursue and prepare for in college. Other sessions included the sharing of "Life Story Moments" by faculty and staff, rock climbing, hiking, sliding down a waterfall into a very 'cool' pool of water, a campfire with s'mores and ghost stories and time to reflect on the real 'college' experience.
"The students brought an amazingly positive attitude to the retreats and displayed a sensitivity and considerateness for one another that was very encouraging," said Catawba's chaplain and senior vice-president, Dr. Ken Clapp. Clapp also noted that from the students' conversations emerged not only their anxiety and excitement about beginning a new stage of their lives, but a concern for the needs of the world, how they can be better stewards of God's creation and how they can use the gifts God has given them to address the great needs of the world.
As the retreats concluded, participating students provided comments and feedback about the retreats, including:
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- "This has been an amazing experience ... I feel so much more ready to begin college." ;
- "I no longer am worried about being able to navigate the orientation process and get involved." ;
- "I feel that I have gotten to know faculty and staff who will be there for me if I need them, and that is so comforting." ;
- "Thank you so much for making this experience possible."
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