117th Year Underway at NCU

Orientation Photo Gallery

Rafting Trip Video

EUGENE, Ore.  - Northwest Christian University begins its 117th year with 618 students, including 196 new traditional undergraduate, adult studies, and graduate students.

New Student Orientation occurred from August 28-30 as new undergraduates spent their first days on campus building relationships, unpacking, meeting resident assistants, and enjoying a schedule full of events.  Fish Week, the orientation program included such events and activities as the President's Welcome, the Twining of the Ivy, a Hoedown, "Get Your Fish On", Fish Group Meetings, "You Got Served", and the annual rafting trip.

The New Student Orientation program is built to engage students as quickly and effectively as possible, in order to help make them feel as connected and a part of the community. Kirsten McCormick, Director of Student Programs, said, "We believe that if students can get engaged within the first couple weeks of school, they are most likely to succeed in their four years of college." 

As part of their Orientation students can meet upper classmen (the Peer Mentors and Staff that are leading their groups), faculty, staff, and their fellow new classmates.  The weekend is filled with various activities and events to expose them to the many aspects of college life.  McCormick said, "We hope, by the end of Orientation, their transition into college life is smooth and seamless."
 
The Orientation program is called Fish Week for many reasons.  It was originally chosen because of the rich imagery it provides from both Scripture and Christian history.  In Scripture, fishing is used to describe spiritual and ethical leadership in conjunction with many miracles that Jesus performed, and it represents the provision of God. 

In history, it was used to mark secret meeting locations of the underground church when persecution was high.  It was also a way for Christians to find fellowship with other believers during that persecution. It is said that one person would form an arch in the dirt with a staff, and if the other fellow was a believer, he or she would do an upside down arch completing the fish symbol. 

McCormick said, "Students will find provision here. They will find spiritual sustenance, as well as an education that will prepare them for a rewarding career and deeper, richer, truer thought life. Students will find the ability to be good leaders here as they follow Christ and his will for their lives."

One of the more successful components of the new student experience program continues to be placing all new undergraduates in 'Fish Groups' in which each group is lead by a trio of mentors including a faculty member, staff member, and student leader.  Michael Fuller, Vice President for Enrollment and Student Development said "We're a people place that is about helping students find their calling.  Providing them with a core leadership team that can immediately assist them with academic life, spiritual formation, and social transition just makes sense at NCU."